1 1Annual Report 2007-08

CRC PLANTbiosecurity

Our vision...is to be a world leader in the generation, development and delivery of plant biosecurity science and education.

Our mission...is to foster scientific collaboration and engage stakeholders to deliver plant biosecurity technologies that will reduce risk to, and ensure sustainability of, Australia’s plant industries.

Image: Kate Scott, CRCNPB

Established and supported under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Program.

Printed on 100% Recycled Paper

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Cover image:Collaboration is important throughout the research activities of the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity. Researcher, Rob emery demonstrates the use of PDa assisted surveillance tools in the field to CeO, Dr Simon mcKirdy, mr David Fienberg from Co-operative Bulk Handling Limited and Board Director, mr Chris Richardson.

This project will provide digitised biosecurity surveillance technology that improves the speed and accuracy in capturing and analysing data.

Image: L TO R: Dr Simon mcKirdy, CRCNPB CeO mr Rob emery, CRCNPB Researcher, Department of agriculture and Food, Western australia mr David Fienberg, Senior manager Supply Chain Quality, Co-operative Bulk Handling Limitedmr Chris Richardson, CRCNPB Board DirectorImage aCKNOWLeDgemeNT: Simon eyres, Department of agriculture and Food, Western australia

The Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity is the central coordinating body for plant biosecurity research across all Australian states and territories.

Contents

Executive summary and CEO report 2

Chairman’s report 4

Context and major developments 6Industry context 6

Major developments 6

Key events 6

Changes to staff 6

National research priorities 7Table 1: National research priorities and CRCNPB research 7

Governance and management 8Organisational structure (as at 31 March 2008) 8

Board of Directors and Committees 9

Director’s meetings held 14

Program Leaders (2007-08) 14

CRCNPB Participants 16Participants Committee 17

Research programs 18Research activities and achievements 18

Program One: Preparedness and Prevention Research 23

Program Two: Diagnostics Research 24

Program Three: Surveillance Research 27

Program Four: Impact Management Research 28

Program Five: Post-Harvest Integrity Research 31

CRCNPB projects 2007-08 32

Research collaborations 34

Collaborative partners 34

Commercialisation and utilisation 35Program Seven: Delivery and Adoption 35

Intellectual property management 36

Communication strategy 36

End-user involvement and CRCNPB impact on end-users 37

Program Six: Education and Training 40

Publications 42

Third Year Reviews – 2004 Round CRCs 46

Glossary of terms 47

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Executive summary and CEO report

Image: Kate Scott, CRCNPB

Dr Simon McKirdy, Chief Executive Officer

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This reporting period has seen a significant change to the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity Ltd’s (CRCNPB) research portfolio. In late 2007, the CRCNPB commenced a $30 million biosecurity research alliance to protect Australia's highly valuable grain market from biosecurity threats. The alliance was formalised through a successful supplementary bid, resulting in the establishment of the Post-Harvest Integrity Research Program.

This new program aims to maintain Australia’s reputation as a world leader of high quality grains and to control emerging pest and disease threats to stored grains such as wheat and barley. It combines the skills of industry, government, and scientific institutions in a unified national approach to develop new technologies, training and biosecurity safeguards in the grains industry.

To facilitate collaboration and engagement with grain industry members, the CRCNPB formed a Grains Advisory Panel with representatives from ABB Grain Limited, GrainCorp Operations Limited, Co-operative Bulk Handling Limited and the Grains Research and Development Corporation. The panel provides invaluable oversight and advice on the project development and delivery of post-harvest integrity research activities to the CRCNPB Board.

Another landmark achievement was the successful Science Exchange held in mid-November 2007. This inaugural event promoted strong partnerships and facilitated project collaboration within the CRCNPB. The meeting provided all members with the ability to meet face-to-face, discuss research activities and exchange ideas.

The CRCNPB’s Annual General Meeting and November Board meeting were held at the same time as the Science Exchange. This gave the Participants Committee and the Board of Directors an informal opportunity to meet and engage with project teams. Pertinent to the timing of the event was the opportunity to introduce the recently launched Post-Harvest Integrity Research Program and welcome new participants.

A common theme in biosecurity literature is the recognition of the critical role plant biosecurity plays in global trade. With many biosecurity threats posing equal concern to Australia’s trading partners, the CRCNPB continued to identify and pursue collaborative research and training opportunities internationally.

In March, the CRCNPB joined 15 international agencies to form PRATIQUE, a consortium under European Union funding that will address the pest risk analyses for major global biosecurity threats. The CRCNPB has recognised climate change as a significant plant biosecurity challenge. Partnering with PRATIQUE, the CRCNPB is committed to providing Australian plant industries with the capacity to make informed decisions about changing biosecurity needs and to manage climate change impacts.

To develop strategies for plant biosecurity training across international borders, the CRCNPB continued its membership with the quadrilateral scientific collaboration in plant biosecurity. This initiative provides a framework for scientific cooperation in research, training and technologies regarding plant biosecurity across Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States.

In this reporting period, the Education and Training program continued to grow with a total number of 22 students enrolled in PhD studies. The CRCNPB has almost accomplished its target of 32 PhD candidates, with another seven confirmed students due to commence in the first half of 2008-09. It is expected the CRCNPB will have reached its target number of students by the end of the 2008-09 financial year. Another significant milestone was met with Dr Craig Webster being the first CRCNPB PhD student to submit his thesis and graduate.

During 2007-08, the CRCNPB modified the overarching management of its seven programs. With structural changes to the research portfolio, and the increase in projects moving from development to delivery, the CRCNPB recognised the need to make changes to its resourcing requirements.

In February 2008, Dr David Eagling was appointed as Research Leader to manage, lead and provide guidance to the CRCNPB’s research portfolio. This coincided with Dr James Ridsdill-Smith becoming the CRCNPB’s Principal Scientist. Both roles have enhanced the strategic and operational performance of the science research portfolio.

During 2008-09, many projects across the CRCNPB’s programs will move into the delivery phase. Consequently, the CRCNPB will continue its strong focus on establishing partnerships and engaging stakeholders and end-users to adopt CRCNPB research outputs.

Dr Simon McKirdyChief Executive Officer

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Chairman’s report

Image: Kate Scott, CRCNPB

Professor John Lovett, Chairman(accompanied by his biosecure Angus Bull, Harold)

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This, the third Annual Report of the CRCNPB affords an opportunity to reflect on how well the CRCNPB is delivering on a key undertaking which was made as part of the original bid.

The proponents of the putative CRCNPB pointed to a significant effort in biosecurity research in Australia but observed that this effort was severely fragmented. Coupled with the loss of skilled practitioners in key disciplines and with the growing risk of incursions, this situation presaged major biosecurity breaches unless remedial action could be taken.

As a result, the CRCNPB bid was launched on a platform of ‘biosecurity built on science’ with a significant plank in the platform being to establish a network which would draw together the existing fragments in Australia’s states and territories into a coherent, collaborative whole. The year under review has seen significant advances made in the networking context. An important component has been bringing together Australian CRCNPB participants with some international counterparts. This forms part of the CRCNPB’s commitment to establish means of addressing as many biosecurity matters offshore as is possible.

The ATSE Crawford Fund has a substantial record of supporting master classes in subjects related to agriculture, which involve participants of proven expertise in specific topics together with peers and presenters from a number of countries. Several master classes have been held in Australia but a number have been hosted in other locations when this has offered the advantage of achieving the master class purpose. Such is the case with plant biosecurity.

With this in mind, The ATSE Crawford Fund agreed to support the CRCNPB to provide an International Master Class in Plant Biosecurity in Malaysia. Participants were invited from a number of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries and some other Asian countries of trading significance to Australia in the region. CABI (South-East Asia) and the Department of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry (Malaysia) were enthusiastic collaborators in this endeavour.

The aim of the Master Class was to reach participants who are ‘influencers’, that is, persons with a scientific and technical background in the disciplines associated with biosecurity and who have the ability to interface with policy makers and regulators in their home countries and, potentially, abroad.

Held from 2 June to 13 June, 17 participants from 10 countries took part in an intensive program of presentations, practical work, discussion groups and field visits – organised, principally, by CRCNPB personnel.

The desired outcomes of the Master Class were threefold, namely, to:

raise awareness of the plant biosecurity • continuum (pre-border at border and post-border) in ASEAN countries and some of their neighbours with a focus on the global context of biosecurity

increase the level of knowledge of risk analysis • processes among Australia’s neighbours and trading partners, and

further develop collaborative links between the • Master Class partners and between the partners, the participants and their home countries.

Feedback from participants indicated that these objectives were attained. Several desired follow-up activities were identified by the participants and the CRCNPB is working, especially with CABI, to deliver on some of these.

While the Master Class aimed to reach senior practitioners in plant biosecurity, an important networking activity in the Education and Training Program has been directed at primary school classes in Australia. Launched in the Australian Capital Territory in 2007, some 2,800 school students were enthusiastically involved in a program of school visits and plant biosecurity-related activities. So successful was the 2008 trial program that this important initiative is being evaluated with the intent to ‘go national’.

This ‘schools program’ will assist the CRCNPB in its objective of enhancing community awareness of biosecurity issues, a vital adjunct to the professional efforts which are being made by biosecurity scientists.

The potential long-term benefits to be gained from linking biosecurity awareness in primary schools in Australia, through the broader community to biosecurity scientists and a plant biosecurity network among Australia’s international neighbours are great. It is gratifying to be able to report that, in 2007-08, the CRCNPB has made progress towards obtaining this objective.

Finally, mention must be made of the highly successful Science Exchange, which was held as part of a group of CRCNPB activities in Melbourne on 15 and 16 November. Participant representatives, scientists and students, Board and management took part in a stimulating and entertaining series of sessions which highlighted the best aspects of Cooperative Research Centres in generating cooperation and collaboration in far-flung networks.

Professor John LovettChairman

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Context and major developmentsIndustry contextThe CRCNPB provides research and education in plant biosecurity to enhance Australia’s agricultural sector, and ultimately retain its strong market access position.

During 2007-08, Australia’s agricultural industries continued to be affected by severe drought conditions, resulting in loss of stock and low crop yields. The economic impacts of the drought did not affect the CRCNPB’s level of funding from industry; conversely new grain industry participants joined the CRCNPB who are key stakeholders in biosecurity issues related to stored grain. However, the ongoing drought has the potential to impact on the CRCNPB’s activities should it continue.

Throughout the 2007 equine influenza crisis, researchers working on CRCNPB projects assisted the government to manage the outbreak and provide scientific advice. While the outbreak was of an animal biosecurity nature, many of the methodologies associated with managing an incursion are similar to the plant industries. The diversion of researchers at this time impacted on the progress of a number of CRCNPB projects.

Major developmentsIn February 2008, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon. Tony Burke MP announced a comprehensive, independent review of Australia’s quarantine and biosecurity systems. As the strategic focus of the CRCNPB research activities are a result of the critical gaps in Australia’s plant biosecurity system, the CRCNPB provided an eighteen page submission to the review panel which addressed these issues. The final report from the review is expected to be released to the public in November 2008.

During June 2008, a phosphine review panel independently commissioned by the CRCNPB travelled throughout Australia visiting stored grain stakeholders and facilities. Chaired by Dr Peter Merriman, the panel was made up of several subject matter experts with a role to identify investment priorities in chemical and non-chemical research for the control of insect pests in stored grain. The final report from the panel is due for completion in late 2008 and its outcomes will be published on the CRCNPB website.

To evaluate and improve internal business processes, the CRCNPB initiated a review of its administrative and governance structures. The outcomes of the review are due for completion in late 2008.

Key eventsUp until 31 December 2007, CRC NPB Limited (the Company) provided management services to the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity Joint Venture (the Centre). With the agreement of participants, the CRCNPB business model was streamlined from 1 January 2008 to establish an improved accounting and reporting structure.

During the reporting period the operations of the CRCNPB focused on the:

continued enhancement of systems and • procedures to manage programs and projects

incorporation of the supplementary bid activities • into the programs

development and delivery of the program in • accordance with the Commonwealth Agreement, and

relocation of the registered office and principal • place of business.

Changes to staffThrough the reporting period there were several changes to staff, both as a result of the growth of the CRCNPB and structural changes, as well as staff moving on to other opportunities.

Ms Carla Tadich was appointed in a newly created • position of Project Officer in August 2007.

Mr Nick Langley filled the vacant positions of • Business Manager and Company Secretary in October 2007.

Dr Pat Collins was appointed Program Leader for • the Post-Harvest Integrity Research Program.

Dr David Eagling moved from the position of • Program Leader for the Impact Management Research Program to become the CRCNPB’s Research Leader in February 2008.

Dr James Ridsdill-Smith moved from Science • Coordinator to the role of Principal Scientist in February 2008.

Ms Kate Scott was appointed Communications • Officer in March 2008.

Ms Jane Moran replaced Dr David Eagling as • Program Leader for the Impact Management Research Program in April 2008.

Ms Rochelle Temby left the position of Executive • Assistant in March 2008, and this role was filled by Ms Lauren Searson-Patrick in April 2008.

Dr Gary Kong left the position of Program Leader • for the Diagnostics Research Program in June 2008.

Ms Sue McKell left the position of Delivery and • Adoption Program Leader in June 2008.

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National research priorities The CRCNPB is a major contributor to Australia’s national research priorities and, in particular, the ‘Safeguarding Australia’ priority to protect Australia from invasive diseases and pests. The proportion of CRCNPB research that relates to national research priorities and goals are given in the table below.

Table 1: National research priorities and CRCNPB research

NATIONAL RESEARCH PRIORITIES CRCNPB RESEARCH (%)FRONTIER TECHNOLOGIES FOR BUILDING AND TRANSFORMING AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIES

Stimulating the growth of world-class Australian industries using innovative technologies developed from cutting-edge research

Frontier technologies 3

Smart information use 4

Promoting an innovation culture and economy 3

SAFEGUARDING AUSTRALIA

Safeguarding Australia from terrorism, crime, invasive diseases and pests, and securing our infrastructure, particularly with respect to our digital systems

Protecting Australia from invasive diseases and pests 88

Protecting Australia from terrorism and crime 2

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Governance and management

Organisational structure (from 31 March 2008)

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Board of Directors and Committees

The CRCNPB’s Board develops and oversees delivery of the CRCNPB's strategic objectives. The skills based Board is made up of a Chair and six other Directors - all independent of the CRCNPB's participants.

The Board was established with careful consideration to ensure a broad spectrum of expertise to maximise the value of the Board's input into the CRCNPB's direction and management.

The Finance and Audit Committee provides assistance to the Board of Directors in fulfilling its corporate governance and oversight responsibilities in relation to the CRCNPB’s financial reporting, internal control structure, risk management systems and external audit functions.

The Board Nomination Committee consults with the CRCNPB’s participants and directors to identify suitable candidates to the members for election as directors.

The names, qualifications, special responsibilities and experience of the Board of Directors in office during the period and until the date of this report are on the following pages. During the reporting period, Dr Peter Merriman’s tenure as Director expired and Mr John Sandow was appointed.

Image: Kate Scott, CRCNPB

Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity Board members

Left to right: Dr Jim Cullen, Mr John Sandow, Mr Barry Windle, Ms Christine Campbell, Mr Chris Richardson, Professor John Lovett (Chairman), Professor John Irwin

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Professor Emeritus John Lovett

Membership: Chairman, Board of Directors; Chair, Board Nomination Committee Qualifications: BSc Hons (Agric), PhD Tenure: Appointed 3 August 2005, reappointed 15 November 2006

Chair: Agrifood Awareness Australia Ltd (2004). Chair: CRC for Greenhouse Accounting (2004-2006). Board member: HRZ Wheats Pty Ltd (2004-2006). Member Executive Board: Global Crop Diversity Trust (2006). Managing Director: Grains Research and Development Corporation (1994-2003). Managing Director: Lovett Associates Pty Ltd (2004). Professor of Agronomy: University of New England (1987-1993). Professor of Agricultural Science: University of Tasmania (1984-1987).

John Lovett is Chairman of the CRCNPB’s skills-based Board of Directors. Professor Lovett’s other board appointments include Chairman of Agrifood Awareness Australia Ltd and Chairman of the former Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Accounting.

From 1994 to December 2003 he served as Managing Director of the Grains Research and Development Corporation. Over that period the Corporation’s investments in research and development and technology delivery increased from $30 million to more than $120 million per annum.

Since leaving the Corporation, John has assisted a number of industries with various aspects of strategy and planning – grains, meat and wool in Australia, and dairy in New Zealand.

He has also assisted Land and Water Australia to develop an industry-focused plan for dealing with the impacts of climate change.

An Emeritus Professor at the University of New England, where he held the Chair in Agronomy, John Lovett was formerly Professor of Agricultural Science at the University of Tasmania and has had research associations in Indonesia, Finland and the United Kingdom.

In 2006 he was appointed to the Executive Board of the Global Crop Diversity Trust, established to protect the world’s crop genetic resources in perpetuity. The opening of the so-called ‘Doomsday Vault’ in Svalbard (February 2008) has captured world-wide attention for this very important endeavour, in which Australia has played a key role.

In his spare time, with the help of his bull ‘Harold’, he breeds Angus cattle on a small property near Canberra.

Mr Barry Windle

Membership: Deputy Chair, Board of Directors Qualifications: BSc Agric, DipSc(Hort) Tenure: Appointed 3 August 2005

Chair AFMA Great Australian Bight Trawl Fishery Management Advisory Committee (current). Chair Central Hills Water Allocation Plan Advisory Committee and member of the Central NRM Group - Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Board (current). Chair Working Group on Market Access Research and Development HAL (current). Former Executive Director: Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Primary Industries and Resources SA, Executive and Policy roles PIRSA (1988 – 2004). Horticultural Research Officer (1971 – 1988).

Barry is a former Primary Industries and Resource South Australia (PIRSA) Executive Director responsible for Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture programs and related regulatory and emergency management services. He retired from full time work with PIRSA in 2004 and has since taken on roles with the CRCNPB, Australian Fisheries Management Authority, Horticulture Australia Limited, Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board, and the South Australian Department of Families and Communities.

Barry began his career at the University of Adelaide with a focus on horticultural science, plant pathology and entomology and joined the Department of Agriculture as a research officer in horticulture. Management roles started after working in India on an Australian International Development Assistance Bureau project in the 1980s. Management positions started with horticulture research and policy in the 1980s and progressed to executive leadership of the state's Agriculture Food and Fisheries programs for a decade or so until retirement.

In various executive positions, Barry had responsibility for most of the state's primary industry regulatory services covering animal and plant health, viticulture, food, fisheries and aquaculture planning and compliance with much of this relating to State and industry biosecurity. In past positions Barry has been a member of Primary Industries Standing Committee biosecurity committees, Plant Health Committee and Chief Inspector for plant quarantine.

Currently, Barry is chairing several committees as well as being Deputy Chair of the CRCNPB. These are the Great Australian Bight Trawl Fishery Management Advisory committee for the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, the Working Group on Horticulture Market Access for Horticulture Australia Limited, Central Hills Water Allocation Advisory Committee, Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resource Management Board and is a member of other community and Natural Resource Management groups.

Barry lives in the Adelaide Hills and enjoys working on his property, time with grandchildren and river boating on the Murray.

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Ms Christine Campbell

Membership: Board Director; Chair Finance and Audit Committee Qualifications: FCPA Tenure: Appointed 3 August 2005

Executive Chair: Twynam Agricultural Group. CEO (1983) and Financial Controller (1977) Twynam Agricultural Group. Chair: of the National Farmers’ Federation Water Taskforce (2005-2006). Chair: Australian Cotton Industry Council (2002-2005). Member: Policy Council of the National Farmers’ Federation (2004-2005). Member Executive Committee of the National Farmers’ Federation (2002-2004) Chair: Cotton Australia (2001-2003). Private Sector Advisory Panel to International Cotton Advisory Council (2004-2005). Director: Cotton Australia (1999-2005).

Christine Campbell has been on the Board of Directors of the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity since August 2005

Christine is the Executive Chairman of the Twynam Agricultural Group which is based in New South Wales. Twynam's agricultural interests are both in dryland and irrigated farming, principally producing beef, wool, cereals, rice and cotton.

Christine’s 30 years experience in both Twynam and the agricultural organisations listed above have provided her with extensive experience in financial and corporate management in the Australian Agricultural, Resource, Manufacturing and Investment Industries. She has been a member of CPA Australia since 1969 and a Fellow since 1990.

Dr Jim Cullen

Membership: Board Director Qualifications: BA (Hons), PhD Tenure: Appointed 3 August 2005, reappointed 14 November 2007

Member: Quarantine and Exports Advisory Council (1997-2003). Chief: CSIRO Entomology (1997-2002). Board Member: CRC for Australian Weed Management (Weed Management Systems) (1995-2002) (Acting Director 1995). Member: Australian Weeds Committee (1988-2002). External Advisor (Science and Research): Environmental Risk Management Authority NZ (2002). President: Australian Entomological Society (1997-2000).

Dr Jim Cullen's research background is in entomology and population ecology, with an emphasis on biological control of insect pests and weeds, the latter requiring a prolonged excursion into plant pathology during his career with CSIRO. This also included two uplifting educational experiences, the first liaising with the Industries Assistance Commission on cost: benefit analyses of agricultural research, plus a ‘legal period' of eighteen months when he was responsible for coordinating CSIRO's response to the High Court injunction on the program against Paterson's Curse. He has published on biological control, insect physiology, plant pathology, weed management, agricultural economics and legal issues in agriculture.

Jim was responsible for several weed and insect biological control projects, ran the CSIRO European Laboratory in France from 1983 to 1987 and was a member of, or chaired several Standing Committee of Agriculture technical committees on biological control and weeds research. He led much of the early discussions with Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) to develop protocols for the introduction of biological control agents and was responsible for the original design of CSIRO's high security quarantine facility in Canberra. Jim was a member of the Australian Weeds Committee for many years and coordinated the successful proposal for the first Weeds CRC. Following the Nairn Review of Quarantine, he was appointed a member of the Quarantine Exports and Advisory Council and worked with AQIS and the Import Risk Analysis Review system at various times.

Jim was leader of the CSIRO weeds group, Assistant and Deputy Chief of CSIRO Entomology 1991-97 and Chief of the Division from 1997 to 2002. An acknowledged francophile since his Montpellier days, Jim was also inaugural President of the ACT Chapter of the Australian French Association for Science and Technology. He was President of the Australian Entomological Society from 1997-2000 and External Advisor (Science and Research) to the Environmental Risk Management Authority, New Zealand in 2000.

Jim retired in 2003, but has had his finger dragged back into a number of pies since then.

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Professor John Irwin

Membership: Board Director, Finance and Audit Committee Qualifications: BSc Hons (Agric), MSc (Agric), PhD, DSc (Agric) Tenure: Appointed 3 August 2005

CEO: CRC for Tropical Plant Protection (1999 – 2006). CEO: CRC for Tropical Plant Pathology (1992 – 1999). Professor, School Integrative Biology: University of Queensland (1993 – present). Member: National Crop Improvement Committee, Grains Research and Development Corporation (1991 – 1993). Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Reader: University of Queensland (1982-1992). Member: Oilseeds Research Council (1989-1991) Plant Pathologist/ Research Fellow: Queensland Department of Primary Industries/University of Wisconsin (1972-1982).

John Irwin is a Professor in the School of Integrative Biology at the University of Queensland. John has actively researched the areas of plant pathology/plant genetics since he started his career in 1972, and has bred or co-bred 10 cultivars of pasture and forage species.

The first 10 years of his career were in the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, three of which were spent at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the remainder in various roles at the University of Queensland.

From 1992-2006 he was CEO of two CRCs, the CRC for Tropical Plant Pathology and the CRC for Tropical Plant Protection. A major focus of both of these CRCs was the development of molecular tools for identifying plant pathogens. The work had a major international impact for several major groups of plant pathogens both endemic and exotic to Australia. These included Phytophthora, Colletotrichum, Fusarium, Ralstonia and others.

Education activities have been important to John Irwin. He has been principal supervisor to over 30 graduated Masters and PhD students at the University of Queensland, and he has taught undergraduate classes in several areas of plant science.

He has served on national committees of the Grains Research and Development Corporation, and as a panel member for Import Risk Analysis conducted by Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. He has been the Editorial Board Chairman of both the Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, and the Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture.

Mr Chris Richardson

Membership: Board Director, Finance and Audit Committee Qualifications: Diploma in Agriculture Tenure: Appointed 3 August 2005, reappointed 14 November 2007

Chair WA Biosecurity Council (2008). Chair: Agricultural Protection Board of WA (2002-present).Chair: WA Ovine Johnes Disease Advisory Committee (2004- Present) .Chair: WA Footrot Eradication Campaign Advisory Committee (1999 - present). Board Member: Corredene Pty Ltd. CEO: Australian Merino Society Inc (1999 – present).

Mr Chris Richardson is an independent director on the Board of CRCNPB Ltd.

Chris has a farming background and has experience as a grains and livestock producer in the Great Southern region of Western Australia.

He has served as a company director with companies with an agricultural industry focus since 1994 and also has experience in local government.

Mr Richardson has experience with biosecurity policy and regulation in Western Australia and is currently Chairman of the Agriculture Protection Board of Western Australia which has statutory responsibility for the control and management of declared plant and animal pests in that state. He also has experience in the management of plant and animal pest incursions in Western Australia.

He was recently appointed Chairman of the newly established Biosecurity Council in Western Australia that has the responsibility to advise government on the delivery of biosecurity services and compliance with regulation and policy in regard to all biosecurity issues in WA for agriculture, fisheries and marine, forestry and government lands including the conservation estate.

Chris lives in Perth with his wife Annie and sons Blair and Sam.

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Mr John Sandow

Membership: Board Director Qualifications: BSc MSc MAICD Tenure: Appointed 14 November 2007

Director, Cooperative Research Centre for Australian Weed Management, (2002-current), Western Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (WAHRI) (2002-November 2007); Member of Steering Committee ‘Grain Protection Genes’ (GRDC/CSIRO joint venture) (2002-November 2007), GRDC Program Manager - Crop Protection (2002-November 2007), Crop Care Australasia Pty Ltd - National Technical and Development Manager (2001-2002), Marketing Services Manager (2000-2001), Group Product Manager (1998-2000), various product manager and technical roles (1989-1998), Entomologist, Western Australian Department of Agriculture (1979-1989).

John's career in agriculture spans almost 30 years and began as a biological control entomologist in the Western Australian Department of Agriculture.

In the late 80s he joined the Western Australian research and development team of ICI Rural Division, later Crop Care, one of the leading agricultural chemical suppliers in Australia. Gaining broad agronomic and technical experience, John then moved to marketing, filling several national marketing roles before returning to research and development in 2001 as the national Technical and Development Manager for Crop Care.

He joined the Grains Research and Development Corporation in 2003 as Manager - Crop Protection, routinely engaged in prioritising, planning, commissioning, managing and evaluating grains research and development programs involving national and international research teams from universities, state agencies, CSIRO, CRCs, private contractors and grower groups.

John retired from this role in November 2007 and is an independent consultant.

Dr Peter Merriman PSM

Membership: Board Director Qualifications: PhD Tenure: 3 August 2005 to 14 November 2007

Board Member: Chair: Victorian Strawberry Industry Certification Authority. Chair: Institute Bio-Safety Committee for Hexima Pty Ltd. Consultant to Horticulture Australia Ltd, Plant Health Australia Ltd and the Toolangi Certified Strawberry Runner Growers Cooperative, Victoria. Manager Plant Health and Principal Research Scientist: Plant Protection DPI Victoria (1970-2003). Member: Plant Health Committee and the Consultative Committee for Emergency Plant Pests and Diseases (1980-2003). Member: Advisory Board of the Centre for Environment and Stress Adaptation Research (2000-2003). Director: Australian Development Project on Control of Coffee Leaf Rust PNG and Coffee Research Advisory Committee PNG (1988-1992).

Dr Peter Merriman was a Director of the CRCNPB from August 2005 until November 2007.

During this time, Peter’s other board appointments included Chair of the Victorian Strawberry Industry Certification Authority and Director for the Australian Development Assistance Project to control leaf rust in Papua New Guinea.

Peter has a long involvement with Australia’s plant biosecurity system, including as a former member of the Australian Plant Health Committee and Consultative Committee for Exotic Plant Pests and Diseases (1980–2003), and as Principal Research Scientist at the Victorian Department of Primary Industries from 1990–2003.

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Director’s meetings heldThe CRCNPB Board meets quarterly in various locations around Australia.

MEETING TYPE: DIRECTORS’ MEETINGS MEETINGS OF COMMITTEESFinance and Audit Board Nomination*

Number of meetings held: 4 4 2

Number of meetings attended:

Ms Christine Campbell 4 4 –

Dr Jim Cullen 4 – –

Professor John Irwin 4 4 –

Professor Emeritus John Lovett 4 – 2

Dr Peter Merriman PSM 2 – –

Mr Chris Richardson 4 4 –

Mr John Sandow 2 – –

Mr Barry Windle 4 – –

Board meetings are also attended by Dr Simon McKirdy, Chief Executive Officer and Mr Nick Langley, Company Secretary/Business Manager.

*Board Nomination Committee Professor Emeritus John Lovett (Chair) Dr John De Majnik (GRDC) Mr David Fienberg (CBH) Dr David Hall (NSWDPI) Dr Pauline Mooney (SARDI) Dr Sashi Sharma (DAFWA) Dr Andy Sheppard (CSIRO)

Program Leaders (2007-08)

NAME ORGANISATION CRCNPB POSITION/ROLE

Dr Paul De Barro CSIRO Entomology, BrisbaneProgram Leader: Preparedness and Prevention Research Program

Dr Gary KongQueensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Toowoomba

Program Leader: Diagnostics Research Program

Dr Darryl HardieDepartment of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, Perth

Program Leader: Surveillance Research Program

Dr David Eagling/ Ms Jane Moran

Department of Primary Industries Victoria, Melbourne

Program Leader: Impact Management Research Program

Dr Pat CollinsQueensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane

Program Leader: Post-Harvest Integrity Research Program

Dr Kirsty Bayliss Murdoch University, PerthProgram Leader: Education and Training

Ms Sue McKellCooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity

Program Leader: Delivery and Adoption

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CRC60002: LETTUCE APHIDSCRCNPB PhD student Craig Feutrill has designed and built six, nine-metre fully automated suction traps for sampling for lettuce aphid Nasonovia ribis-nigri. The traps sample 45 cubic metres of air per minute which is funnelled down through a fine mesh cone to 70ml sample jars containing polyethylene glycol. The eight jars are replaced weekly and are on an automated turntable which rotates one jar forward at midnight. Three traps are erected in Tasmania and South australia with more to go up in New South Wales and Victoria.

Image: Craig Feutrill

Lettuce aphid is primarily a contamination pest. The aphids can colonise Iettuce hearts and rosettes and make them unsaleable. For small insects like aphids, movement is mainly through wind and human activity. The distance dispersed is influenced by many factors. Understanding how these interact to influence dispersal is critical in determining the size of quarantine zones.

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During the reporting period the following organisations became participants of the CRCNPB with approval from the Commonwealth Government:

Core Participants

• ABB Grain Ltd

• Co-operative Bulk Handling Limited

• GrainCorp Operations Ltd

• La Trobe University

Supporting Participants

• Charles Sturt University

Core

Part

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Supp

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sCRCNPB Participants

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Participants CommitteeThe Participants Committee monitors the progress of the CRCNPB including current and proposed projects and commercialisation of the CRCNPB’s intellectual property. The Participants Committee meets as required.

Participants Committee Membership 2007-08

MEMBER NAME ORGANISATIONMs Jane Moran Department of Primary Industries, Victoria (Chair until April 2008)

Dr Martin Barlass Department of Primary Industries, Victoria (Chair from April 2008)

Mr Neil Barker GrainCorp Operations Ltd

Professor Tim Brown La Trobe University

Mr John Chapman Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries

Dr Anthony Clarke Queensland University of Technology

Mr David Fienberg Co-operative Bulk Handling Limited

Adj. Associate Professor Chris Florides Saturn Biotech Limited

Mr Greg Fraser Grains Research and Development Corporation

Dr David Hall New South Wales Department of Primary Industries

Associate Professor Giles Hardy Murdoch University

Mr Kim James Horticultural Australia Limited

Associate Professor Mike Keller University of Adelaide

Professor John Kent Charles Sturt University

Mr Geoff Masters ABB Grain Ltd

Professor George Milne University of Western Australia

Dr Pauline Mooney South Australian Research and Development Institute

Dr Kathy Ophel-Keller South Australian Research and Development Institute

Mrs Lois Ransom Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Dr Shashi Sharma Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia

Dr Andy Sheppard Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

Dr Peter Stephens Northern Territory Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries and Mines

Professor Acram Taji Queensland University of Technology

Mr Rodney Turner Plant Health Australia Ltd

Professor Robert Wasson Charles Darwin University

Mr Stephen Williams Southern Cross University

Changes to Participants Committee

Dr Martin Barlass replaced Ms Jane Moran as Chair (DPIVIC)•

Professor Acram Taji replaced Dr Anthony Clarke (QUT)•

Dr Kathy Ophel-Keller replaced Dr Pauline Mooney (SARDI)•

Mr Neil Barker (GrainCorp), Professor Tim Brown (LU), Mr David Fienberg (CBH), Professor John Kent (CSU) • and Mr Geoff Masters (ABB) joined the Participants Committee as new members.

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Research programsResearch activities and achievementsDuring 2007-08, CRCNPB has made significant progress towards meeting research outcomes, outputs and milestones as contracted under the Commonwealth Agreement.

As the CRCNPB’s research activities involve exotic pests and diseases (which by definition originate external to the affected country) the CRCNPB has continued to proactively identify collaborative opportunities to share knowledge with international partners where exotic pests are present. This international collaborative approach provides both essential confidence in the applicability of the research outcomes by end-users as well as enhancing the scientific rigour of the research itself.

In the Preparedness and Prevention Research Program, the CRCNPB has contributed to both PRATIQUE, a consortium under European Union funding that will address the major global threats for pest risk analysis, and the Asia Pacific Network initiative to establish a major project focused on climate and crop disease risk management. Both contributions recognise climate change as a significant plant biosecurity challenge, and the partnerships underscore the CRCNPB’s commitment to transfer knowledge to end-users, enabling them to make educated decisions on plant biosecurity issues.

Through the Diagnostics Research Program, the CRCNPB has developed a ‘remote microscope’ concept which will bring taxonomic expertise to the specimen rather than the specimen to the expert. This will provide rapid identification of pest species during key biosecurity events such as an emergency plant pest incursion.

This concept requires establishing a distributed system of taxonomic hubs connected to remote sites throughout Australia. In partnership with Australian government agricultural agencies, the CRCNPB has installed a central network node in Canberra and three remote nodes in the Australian states of New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia. This work has received international interest and the CRCNPB is currently planning to add new Australian nodes to the distributed system as well as nodes in Thailand and Indonesia.

Dr David Eagling Research Leader

Image: Kate Scott, CRC NPB

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In the Surveillance Research Program, the CRCNPB has been working with state agricultural agencies to demonstrate mobile field application development on personal digital assistants (PDA). A key focus has been the capability to use free PDA Google maps to record the sample location. While this requires internet connectivity, the instant map and street imagery provided by this system can be accessed anywhere in the world, and is updated at no charge by the relevant third party.

Through the Impact Management Research Program, genes putatively associated with virulence in the Russian Wheat Aphid (RWA) – a destructive global pest of grains – have been identified from a pea aphid salivary gland library. An unexpected level of variation in salivary gland proteins has been found in relation to other world-wide efforts which had been unable to find sequence or molecular marker variation between these biotypes in any other part of the genome.

This research resulted in a publication on aphid saliva and the characterisation of salivary protein C002 in the pea aphid which has been accepted in the prestigious journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. The work has also been presented at an Aphid Genome Annotation Workshop at Princeton University.

This CRCNPB research is now closely linked with the international pea aphid genome consortium which includes leading United States and Chinese researchers. This collaboration will examine RWA genetics and virulence in western China, an area where RWA is indigenous.

In the newly formed Post-Harvest Integrity Research Program, a key focus has been on phosphine-resistant biotypes of insect pests of stored grain. Industry consultation identified the performance of phosphine fumigation in cool grain was particularly important. A survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics found that, of grain stored on farms for one month or longer, between 24 and 40 per cent was fumigated with phosphine, either initially or after infestations were detected.

In response, the CRCNPB investigated the performance of phosphine fumigation at lower temperatures for naturally cool grain, or grain cooled with aeration technologies. The research identified the average phosphine concentrations will be higher in fumigations of cool grain, and tends to be higher the longer the grain has been in storage before being fumigated. Importantly, the high level of sorption in sorghum means that the margin for error is smaller when fumigating this grain.

In June 2008, a significant milestone for the Education and Training Program was reached when Dr Craig Webster submitted his thesis to become the CRCNPB’s first completed PhD candidate. His research identified the first Hardenbergia mosaic virus (HarMV) endemic to Western Australia and developed microarray methods for diagnosing viruses of economic importance. To disseminate his research results, Craig’s work has been published in scientific journals and he has provided oral presentations at scientific meetings.

Northern Australia is already the focus for many plant biosecurity activities which are often managed through the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service’s Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy. In this region, the support of local communities is crucial to government activities, particularly as successful eradication of an incursion critically depends on the length of time between the initial incursion and its subsequent identification. Through the Delivery and Adoption Program, the CRCNPB identified processes to work with local communities in both Australia and neighbouring countries to develop risk mitigation strategies.

These approaches to community partnerships represent a paradigm shift to proactively manage incursion threats between countries. The CRCNPB is confident that working with local communities in both Australia and neighbouring countries will enhance awareness and knowledge to manage incursions moving across international borders. The collaboration will also identify ways to harness existing community capacity to implement future risk mitigation and incursion management strategies.

Dr David Eagling Research Leader

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Biosecurity, research and education for Australia’s plant industries...

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Plant biosecurity is a continuum that includes pre-border, border and post-border responses to plant pests and diseases. The programs of the CRCNPB cover this continuum through seven programs which are: Preparedness and Prevention Research, Diagnostics Research, Surveillance Research, Impact Management Research, Post-Harvest Integrity Research, Education and Training and Delivery and Adoption.

This year, the main effort has been to develop new projects within the agreed CRCNPB Commonwealth Agreement. Projects have been tracked carefully against the Commonwealth milestones and outputs to identify where there are gaps in coverage, and to prioritise new projects. Existing and planned projects are now in place that will cover the areas that were agreed in the CRCNPB Commonwealth Agreement. While all projects are considered strategic in terms of their aims, care has also been made to ensure that they include a mix of those with research which is:

high risk and have potentially large benefits to • projects, and

low risk but probably more likely to have • outcomes that will be adopted by stakeholders.

Most projects that have been developed depend on inputs from other stages in the continuum, and their outputs feed into the remaining stages of the continuum. While this has been recognised during project development, the CRCNPB has attempted to keep each project as an independent piece of research so that it is measurable and has a clearly defined timeline with a beginning and an end. As a result, each piece of research is judged for its ability to deliver to the reduction in risk for an incursion or the successful management of an incursion.

When benefit cost assessments were carried out on a number of ongoing projects it became evident that the benefits of controlling the same threat were being measured at different points in the continuum,

from threat prioritisation before it was present in the country to impact management assuming that it was established in Australia. The benefit could be achieved at different points in the continuum, but it seemed unlikely that it would be equally achieved at all of the points. As a result the Science Committee are now considering delivery from a number of separate areas of research that can form part of a suite of projects that will work to solve larger problems.

In this approach, one example is to investigate the benefits from several research projects around surveillance of fruit flies and the eradication of fruit fly incursions from regions. In each case there are at least six CRCNPB projects contributing to different aspects of each research area. These areas include threat identification, diagnostics, improved surveillance/monitoring, improved traps or better lures for traps, and reduced impact based on a better biological understanding of the ecology. Initially the CRCNPB had considered developing these as large mega-projects, but it was thought to be too unwieldy to manage. The approach now taken is to divide up the problem and tackle it in parts, with the final outcome integrating all parts of the research.

It is important to consider how the research in the CRCNPB will deliver to industries. Two industries that co-invest with the CRCNPB have joined industry committees that meets regularly with the CRCNPB management to consider the research and the research direction and help decide priorities for new projects. The first is the Grains Advisory Panel which includes representatives of the main external funders of post-harvest grains research in the CRCNPB, namely Grains Research and Development Corporation, Co-operative Bulk Handling Limited, ABB Grain Ltd and GrainCorp Operations Ltd. This panel meets several times a year and the external members also attend relevant CRCNPB researcher workshops.

The CRCNPB has also signed a letter of agreement with Horticulture Australia Ltd (HAL) aiming to encourage collaboration and co-funding of research areas. This Committee meets with senior CRCNPB managers twice a year to discuss priorities and exchange information about research directions. In addition one of the CRCNPB Board members, Mr Barry Windle is the Chair of the HAL Working Group for Market Access Research and Development (WGMARD). The Principal Scientist, Dr James Ridsdill-Smith and one of the newly appointed Program Leaders, Dr Deb Hailstones are also members of WGMARD. These relationships assist the CRCNPB to develop its research program in close association with its stakeholders.

Dr James Ridsdill-SmithPrincipal Scientist

Dr James Ridsdill-Smith Principal Scientist

Image: ms Sue mcKell, CRCNPB

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CRC10071: CLIMATE CHANGEThis is a screenshot output from the asian citrus psyllid – citrus growth model using the IPPC a1Fi climate change scenario with a google earth application. The ground overlay represents daily spatial variation in the population of adult psyllids displayed sequentially in an animation of 365 frames for the year 1990. The graphics depict temporal variations in the population of the asian citrus psyllid and increasing temperature for the years 1990, 2030 and 2070 for a specific location. a total of 11,330 graphics can be accessed in the interface (one graph for each 50 km, two-grid cell on which the model was run) providing australian coverage can be accessed in the interface (one graph for each 50km two-grid cell on which the model was run) providing australian coverage.

Climate change is clearly recognised as a major threat to agricultural systems. The expected increase in temperature, atmospheric CO2, heavy and unseasonal rains, increased humidity, drought and cyclones, are likely to affect crops, pests and diseases and host pathogen interactions.

Image: Jean Philippe aurambout, DPI Victoria

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In 2007-08, the Preparedness and Prevention Research Program established three new projects as part of fulfilling the milestones outlined in the Commonwealth Agreement. Two of these projects CRC10067 Evaluating risk analysis systems and CRC10068 Comparison of quarantine risk analysis systems are in collaboration with the Australian Centre for Excellence in Risk Analysis (ACERA). The third new project in this program is CRC10071 Understanding and responding to the risks associated with climate change and plant biosecurity. This means the program now has active research activities against all Commonwealth Agreement outputs and against all milestones with the exception of Milestone 1.2.1 ‘Develop models to predict spread of biosecurity threats.’ However a project is currently under the final stages of development to meet this milestone.

In addition, the program successfully linked its portfolio of research projects to the European Union 7th Framework PRATIQUE consortium bid. PRATIQUE is composed of 15 Partners from eight European Union countries, two international organisations (EPPO and CABI), Australia and New Zealand. The purpose of PRATIQUE is to address the major challenges for pest risk analysis in:

predicting the entry and establishment of new • plant pests, diseases and invasive alien species in the European Union

estimating potential economic, environmental and • social impacts, and

preventing eradicating, containing and controlling • invasions.

This will be achieved through PRATIQUE’s three principal objectives to:

assemble the datasets required to construct 1. effective pest risk analysis valid for the whole of the European Union

conduct multi-disciplinary research that enhances 2. techniques used in pest risk analysis, and

develop an improved web-based, user-friendly 3. decision support scheme.

In addition, the program is engaging through the Asia Pacific Network initiative to establish a major project focused on climate and crop disease risk management as well as developing linkages to the new CSIRO Climate Adaptation Flagship. These contributions recognise climate change as a significant plant biosecurity challenge and a key activity in enabling Australian primary producers to adapt the impacts of a changing climate.

The program has also undergone a series of strategic planning exercises with a view to making sure the suite of project activities within the program are well integrated, and to ensure maximum opportunity from cross collaboration. This has seen a number of new elements being added to various projects as researchers in one project identify opportunities in other projects where they can add value. This has contributed to the development of a strong integrated set of project activities which will add value beyond the initial scope.

Program One: Preparedness and Prevention Research

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Program Two: Diagnostics Research

During 2007-08, the CRCNPB's Diagnostics Research Program developed a highly sensitive molecular assay for the detection and identification of the organism causing Karnal bunt, the most serious disease risk to Australian wheat. The assay has been incorporated into an enhanced diagnostic protocol that overcomes the rate-limiting steps of earlier diagnostic procedures. Recent economic analyses have indicated it will be a more cost efficient tool for diagnosis in an incursion scenario. The project team held a national workshop to train diagnosticians from all Australian states in methods to implement the testing. This national group has also been engaged in validating the protocol.

Another highlight involved the development of a Nanobead Diagnostic Platform. Nanotechnology uses biological molecules such as oligonucleotides and antibodies, bound to beads of less than a few hundred nanometers in size, to detect pathogens in animal or plant cell extracts or environmental samples and is one of the most promising new approaches for pathogen diagnostics. In a partnership with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, the Australian Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre for Emerging Infectious Disease and Nanomics Pty Ltd, the CRCNPB worked during the reporting period to develop and test the technology for its applicability to the diagnosis of plant and animal pathogens.

During the reporting period the CRCNPB also developed a ‘remote microscope’ concept. The concept was developed in response to the process of biological specimens requiring identification being mailed to taxonomic experts for determination. To achieve this, methods have been developed to essentially bring taxonomic expertise to the specimen rather than the specimen to the expert, thus saving time and effort and providing nearly immediate identifications.

The concept requires the establishment of a distributed system of taxonomic hubs connected to remote sites throughout Australia. The CRCNPB, in partnership with Australian government agencies, installed a central network node in Canberra and three remote nodes in the Australian states of New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia. This required the provision of both infrastructure and training, and the web-enabled sites now allow real-time observation and manipulation of specimens, permitting identifications to be undertaken without the need to transfer specimens from their place of origin.

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CRC20012: NATIONAL DIAGNOSTIC DATABASEThe Plant Biosecurity Toolbox was initiated by the CRCNPB in response to a critical need for a digital repository for diagnostic information that relates to emergency plant pests. From its conception, the CRCNPB has worked closely with agencies such as the australian government Department of agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Office of the Chief Plant Protection Officer, australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and Plant Health australia, consulted with scientists in State Departments of agriculture and worked with the Sub-Committee for Plant Health Diagnostic Standards to ensure that the Plant Biosecurity Toolbox offers a user-friendly interface and provides a high standard of diagnostic information.

The result has been the integration of the Plant Biosecurity Toolbox into the (Pest and Disease Image Library) PaDIL website, where diagnostic information, images, references and links to experts, biosecurity agencies and documents can be found. The Plant Biosecurity Toolbox has public open-access and will represent a ‘One-Stop-Shop’ for all critical diagnostic information for emergency plant pests. It will be the place of choice for diagnosticians, researchers, consultants, inspectors and regulators to search for diagnostic information.

Currently there is no single information resource, web-based or otherwise, to provide diagnostic information for targeted emergency plant pests. Fast access to diagnostic information at the time of a suspected incursion is vital to biosecurity responsiveness.

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Barrow Island is a Class A Nature Reserve which sits 130km off the north-west coast of Western Australia and is also home to Australia’s largest operating onshore oilfield. Environmental approvals to operate on the island have imposed stringent conditions on the project, including quarantine management. The environment is distinctive for its relative lack of features to the untrained eye, yet within the arid, spinifex-dominant landscape is a rich fauna that is almost free of invasive species and includes several species of mammals, reptiles and invertebrates that are found nowhere else.

CRC30084: BIOSECURITY QUARANTINE MODEL SYSTEMThe methodology of the Chevron surveillance design is very reliant on expert judgement to make risk-based technical decisions. The map is an example of the risk-mapping CRCNPB researchers are using to design a surveillance system that is targeted to risk, making the system efficient and effective. The key components of risk are the probabilities of entry and establishment of non-indigenous species. Risk values are calculated using the analytical Hierarchy Process and mapped using a geographical Information System.

Image: Dr Peter Whittle, QUT

Image: alex Nietrzeba, Chevron

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The 2007-08 year for the CRCNPB’s Surveillance Research Program has been successful in reaching contracted outcomes, outputs and milestones from the Commonwealth Agreement.

The cost of implementing and maintaining good surveillance practices in Australia has been a prime driver for the CRCNPB. The focus of the Surveillance Program has been to facilitate the development of more efficient and technically sound sample/survey methodologies and systems. This research is being undertaken to enhance Australia’s ability to capture a wide range of high quality information, accurately and cost-effectively, that will be accepted at the domestic and international level.

Coupled with the preceding requirements and Australia’s limited surveillance research base, the Surveillance Program has been able to expand the research capacity in this area by adopting and expanding methodologies and technologies from science disciplines outside traditional plant biosecurity groups of entomology and plant pathology. Statisticians, ecologists, computer programmers, modellers, engineers and social scientists are some of the professional groups that have been engaged in the development of new and existing projects during 2007-08.

The diverse skill sets provided by these professional groups have enabled a number of short-term proof of concept projects to be undertaken. The use of camera-based hyperspectral imaging as a tool for detecting the presence of pathogens in crop plants, prior to symptoms being visible to the human eye, is looking very promising. The use of this same technology to discriminate between closely related species of insects is also returning very encouraging results. Another short-term project to investigate the use of digital technology to collect field surveillance and other biosecurity information has systematically evaluated a number of hardware and software platforms, and the associated connectivity issues with these devices. These projects were conducted in collaboration with stakeholder entomologists, plant pathologists or surveillance staff to maintain direction and relevance to plant biosecurity.

Collecting data on the restrictive presence, or the absence of emergency plant pests while important, is only one aspect of surveillance. How to interpret and use the data requires an entirely different set of skills. The development of statistical tools to determine sampling rates for ‘known not to occur’ and projects on simulation modelling for predictive spread of emergency plant pests are projects where mathematics plays an invaluable role in the Surveillance Program.

The successful CRCNPB supplementary bid in the stored grains areas provided the Surveillance Program with a number of roll-over projects from the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). The three phosphine resistance monitoring in grain insect projects were successfully completed. Further, a single nationally focused and coordinated project was work-shopped and written which will commence in the new year. This project will deliver standardised testing procedures for grain insect resistance in Australia to allow interstate comparisons on rising phosphine and protectant resistance levels and has also benefited from the statistical base being developed within the CRCNPB.

Fruit flies are another area that has a strong focus within the Surveillance Program. Collaborative projects with Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) are progressing well. Given the importance of this area of research within the CRCNPB, an expert review panel consisting of stakeholders and industry representatives has been set up for each project. These panels will examine research findings each year of the project’s life to provide feedback to the researchers involved. The main aim of these panels is to keep the projects focused on market access and deliver outputs that can be used by industry and government to facilitate horticultural exports. The fruit fly projects are very focused on the ‘known not to occur’ principle and once again mathematics in the form of spatial statistics is a key driver in these projects.

Program Three: Surveillance Research

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Significant progress continues to be made in all projects in the Impact Management Research Program and international linkages have now been cemented. The profile of the CRCNPB internationally will benefit from becoming an official component of the international pea aphid genome consortium, through its Russian Wheat Aphid project. This project has also developed new linkages with China. Collaborations with New Zealand and the United States continue to flourish and will be further developed as phase two projects are implemented. However, it is important not to forget linkages within Australia especially collaborations that involve the end-users of the CRCNPB’s research.

Post-entry quarantine is a critical part of the biosecurity continuum and quarantine pathologists are often dealing with the unknown. The dilemma they face is the ability to test for a large number of known and an untold number of unknown pathogens. This is especially important for viruses. To better protect Australia’s plant industries, quarantine pathologists and CRCNPB researchers are jointly working to develop and deploy advanced molecular tests that are sensitive, efficient and reliable and which have a capacity to detect both known and unknown emergency plant pests. Phase One of this project developed a novel primer design approach that has been used to develop a generic test for Potyviruses that is currently being validated by New Zealand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). Once these tests have been validated they will be proposed to the sub-committee on plant health diagnostic standards (SPHDS) for adoption as national diagnostic standards for use in post-entry quarantine and by diagnostic laboratories in Australia and New Zealand.

Eradication of emergency plant pests is costly especially when the destruction of perennial crops is involved. A model system designed to eliminate pathogens without total destruction of the crop has been developed. Trials have been established in grapevines in Sunraysia and once the protocols have been evaluated they will be trialled in the United States on grapevine black rot, an emergency plant pest that threatens Australian grapevine production. Industry is keenly interested in the outcomes of the research and they are actively informed of research progress. Ultimately the protocols will become a key part of industry biosecurity plans.

Incursions of arthropod emergency plant pests often involve urban and peri-urban areas and past strategies to control them have led to community outrage. It is now not acceptable to spray chemicals in many places due to social and environmental impacts. Approaches that exploit weaknesses in the biology of the insects, without widespread spraying of chemicals, by disrupting their mating have been developed as part of existing impact management programs. These approaches are being developed into protocols for eradication of emergency plant pests that can be used during incursions. The recent incursion of light brown apple moth (LBAM) in California has fast tracked the use of sterile insect technology for the eradication of LBAM. Research conducted by CRCNPB researchers has been used as the springboard for the eradication program in the United States.

Program Four: Impact ManagementResearch

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The Australian viticulture industry exports wine to more than 100 countries worldwide and contributes approximately $5.5 billion dollars to the nation’s economy. The impact of an incursion of an exotic disease/pest would have a devastating effect on the wine industry, and Australia’s export market. The current strategy for managing such an incursion includes complete removal of affected and suspected plants, followed by burning and/or burial.

CRC40016: PATHOGEN ERADICATION STRATEGIESeradication methods, such as the complete removal of plants can incur significant costs to growers and the industry. The time taken to re-establish a vineyard to its previous level of economic production, following removal, can be many years. This is particularly devastating for wine connoisseurs who enjoy a glass of premium Shiraz produced from 100-year-old vines. The image below depicts the alternative strategies of drastic pruning the CRCNPB is developing. If successful, this research will optimise the eradication process and minimise the economic cost of returning the crop to its previous quality and production, and potentially save the australian wine industry millions of dollars in the event of an exotic disease incursion.

ImageS: Dr mark Sosnowski, SaRDI

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Use of phosphine in unsealed silos results in underdosing as gas can leak rapidly from the silo. Underdosing selects for resistance to phosphine in grain insect pests.

CRC50060: COOL GRAIN FUMIGATION CRCNPB researchers Philip Burrill (top) and greg Daglish (on ladder) setting up

phosphine fumigation monitoring lines inside a farmer’s grain silo. This project will assess phosphine fumigation efficacy against resistant insects in cool grain (aerated or

naturally cooled) and make recommendations to australia’s grain storage industry.

Image: mr Peter Hughes, QDPI&F

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During 2007-08 the Post-Harvest Integrity Research Program was established as a result of a biosecurity research alliance with an aim to protect Australia’s grain market from biosecurity threats.

As a new program, the focus during the year was on project development. With the formation of the CRCNPB Grains Advisory Panel, a number of projects were developed which targeted priority issues relevant to plant biosecurity in grains. Additionally, a review of chemical and non-chemical treatments for the control of insect pests of stored grain was initiated. This review was undertaken in response to the growing concern among the Australian grains industry of resistance to phosphine by key insect pests. The emerging resistance over the past fifteen years is now viewed as the critical biosecurity threat in stored grains. The results and findings from the review are due in late 2008 and will underpin the activities of the Post-Harvest Integrity Research Program.

The program also included a project on the performance of phosphine fumigation of cool grain that built on two years prior investment by Grains Research and Development Corporation. Results of trials held across Australia during the year showed that:

the rate of sorption in sorghum decreases with • time, which has implications for fumigation practice, and

phosphine fumigation of cool grain (aerated • or naturally cooled) is viable, provided longer exposure periods are used than would be the case with warm grain.

The work is currently being extended to industry through a series of recommendations.

Another commissioned project was developed in response to the September 2007 detection of resistance to phosphine in the Flat Grain Beetle, a key storage pest of grains. Fumigation protocols developed to control resistant Lesser Grain Borer (the species/genotype with the highest known resistance to phosphine) failed to control these populations and the project was developed to provide industry with an immediate short- to medium-term solution. During the year, the principal investigation focused on the manipulation of phosphine dosing parameters based on evidence from other grain pest species which showed that insects with strong resistance to phosphine can be controlled effectively by increasing either the concentration of phosphine applied or the exposure period or both.

Program Five: Post-Harvest Integrity Research

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CRCNPB projects 2007–08PR

EPAR

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PROJECT NO. PROJECT NAME PROJECT LEADER

CRC10001 Early Warning Threat Identification Dr David Cook, CSIRO

CRC10010 Enhanced Biosecurity Planning Tools Dr David Cook, CSIRO

CRC10067 Evaluating Risk Analysis Systems Dr Paul De Barro, CSIRO

CRC10068 Comparison of Quarantine Risk Analysis Systems Professor Kerrie Mengersen, QUT

CRC10071 Climate Change Dr Jo Luck, DPIVIC

DIA

GN

OST

ICS

PROJECT NO. PROJECT NAME PROJECT LEADER

CRC20004 Improved Karnal Bunt Diagnostics Dr Mui-Keng Tan, NSWDPI

CRC20012 National Diagnostic Database Dr Gary Kong, QDPI&F

CRC20025 Remote Microscopes Dr John La Salle, CSIRO

CRC20030 Nanobead Diagnostic Platform Dr Andrew Geering, QDPI&F

CRC20054 Plant Bacteria Platforms Dr Deb Hailstones, NSWDPI

CRC20055 DNA Databank Dr Andrew Geering, QDPI&F

CRC20080 Phosphine Resistance – Molecular Dr David Schlipalius, QDPI&F

CRC20082 Khapra Beetle Diagnostics Mr Mike Grimm, DAFWA

CRC20093 Increasing Diagnostic Capacity in Thailand Dr Gary Kong, QDPI&F

CRC20112 Aphid Diagnostics Dr Glynn Maynard, DAFF

SURV

EILL

AN

CE

PROJECT NO. PROJECT NAME PROJECT LEADER

CRC30009 Grains Surveillance Strategy Dr Sharyn Taylor, PHA

CRC30014 PDA-Assisted Surveillance Mr Robert Emery, DAFWA

CRC30015 Hyperspectral Pathogen DetectionMs Alison Mackie, DAFWA Dr Shane Hetherington, NSWDPI

CRC30022 Female Fruit Fly Lures Dr Katina Lindhout, NSWDPI

CRC30023 Smart Trap Scoping Study Dr Louise Morin, CSIRO

CRC30032 Flying Spore Traps Dr Kirsty Bayliss, MU

CRC30039 Fruit Fly Area Freedom Dr Francis De Lima, DAFWA

CRC30062 AIMS Mr Robert Emery, DAFWA

CRC30064 Resistance Monitoring and Management – Southern Region Dr Joanne Holloway, NSWDPI

CRC30065 Resistance Monitoring and Management – Northern Region Dr Manoj Nayak, QDPI&F

CRC30066 Resistance Monitoring and Management – Western Region Mr Robert Emery, DAFWA

CRC30073 Surveillance Simulation Platform Professor George Milne, UWA

CRC30084 Biosecurity Quarantine Model System Dr Peter Whittle, QUT

CRC30086 Sampling Strategies for Stored Grains Dr Grant Hamilton, QUT

CRC30116 Resistance Monitoring Dr Manoj Nayak, QDPI&F

IMPA

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AG

EMEN

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PROJECT NO. PROJECT NAME PROJECT LEADER

CRC40005 Rice Blast Races and Cultivar Susceptibility (Completed) Dr Ric Cother, NSWDPI

CRC40006 Russian Wheat Aphid Dr Owain Edwards, CSIRO

CRC40007 Predictive Economic Model Ms Lisa Elliston, DAFF

CRC40016 Pathogen Eradication Strategies (Phase 2) Dr Mark Sosnowski, SARDI

CRC40024 Insect Eradication Mr Bill Woods, DAFWA

CRC40035 Movement of EPP Samples (Completed) Dr Alan McKay, SARDI

CRC40049 Community-Based Biosecurity (Phase 2) Dr David Eagling, CRCNPB

CRC40050 Post-Entry Quarantine AU/NZ Dr Brendan Rodoni, DPIVIC

CRC40088 Pre-Harvest Fruit Fly Dr Anthony Clarke, QUT

POST

-HA

RVES

T IN

TEG

RITY

PROJECT NO. PROJECT NAME PROJECT LEADER

CRC50059 Fumigation Technology Mr James Darby, CSIRO

CRC50060 Cool Grain Fumigation Dr Greg Daglish, QDPI&F

CRC50089 Grain Insect Ecology Dr Greg Daglish, QDPI&F

CRC50092 Review of Chemical and Non-Chemical Alternatives to Phosphine Dr Pat Collins, QDPI&F

CRC50098 Flat Grain Beetle Fumigation Protocols Dr Manoj Nayak, QDPI&F

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EDU

CATI

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D T

RAIN

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PROJECT NO. PROJECT NAME PROJECT LEADER

CRC60047 National Plant Biosecurity Curriculum Dr Anthony Clarke, QUT

CRC60069 School Education Strategy Ms Kirsti Burtenshaw, CRCNPB

CRC60072 Master Class in Plant Biosecurity Professor John Lovett, CRCNPB

CRC60114 Crawford Fund Training Course Dr Sophie Peterson, PHA

PROJECT NO. PROJECT NAME STUDENT

CRC60002 Lettuce Aphids (PhD) Mr Craig Feutrill

CRC60003 Ascochyta Wind Tunnel (PhD) Mr Steven Coventry

CRC60008 Terrestrial Observation Predictive Systems (PhD) Mr John Weiss

CRC60011 Ordguard Community Engagement (PhD) Mr Paul Royce

CRC60017 Detection in Pathogen Mixtures (PhD) Ms Bernadette Vogelzang

CRC60026 Citrus Canker Fingerprinting (Hons) (Completed) Mr Jonathan Terlich

CRC60027 Scarab Beetle Barcoding (Hons) Ms Kelly Rigg

CRC60033 Hosts of Phytophthora ramorum (PhD) Ms Kylie Ireland

CRC60034 Bayesian Surveillance Systems (PhD) Mr Mark Stanaway

CRC60037 Fire Blight Diagnostics (PhD) Ms Rachel Powney

CRC60038 Epiphyas Revision (PhD) Ms Roberta Hitchcock

CRC60040 Luteovirus (PhD) Ms Mai Hlaing Loh

CRC60041 Surveillance Systems Analysis (PhD) Ms Nichole Hammond

CRC60042 Phytophthora Taxonomy (PhD) Mr Alex Rea

CRC60043 Microarrays for Virus Diagnostics (PhD Top-up) Mr Craig Webster

CRC60044 Nematode Taxonomy (PhD) Mr Matthew Tan

CRC60045 Phytophthora in Nurseries (PhD) Ms Amy Smith

CRC60046 Khapra Beetle (PhD) Mr Mark Castalanelli

CRC60051 Silverleaf Whitefly in Sydney (Hons) (Completed) Mrs Jennifer Spinner

CRC60052 Biopesticides for Incursion Management (Hons) (Completed) Mr Miriam Zady

CRC60056 White Fly Systematics (PhD) Ms Susan Harvey

CRC60063 Women in Biosecurity (PhD) (commencing July 2008) Ms Eka Martiningsih

CRC60070 Tomato Leaf Curl-nano (PhD) Ms Sharon Van Brunschot

CRC60074 Smut Fungi (PhD) Mr Alistair McTaggart

CRC60075 NICTA Smart Trap (PhD) Ms Pattaraporn Khuwuthyakorn

CRC60076 Spore Modelling (PhD) Mr David Savage

CRC60077 Fruit Fly (Hons) Ms Wendy Rahtz

CRC60097 Fusarium TR 4 (PhD) Ms Rachel Meldrum

CRC60103 Indo Citrus Greening (PhD) (commencing July 2008) Mr Wayan Mudita

CRC60104 Biosecurity Policy (PhD Top-up) (commencing July 2008) Mr Scott Knight

CRC60106 Fruit Fly Parasitoids (PhD) (commencing July 2008) Mrs Jennifer Spinner

CRC60107 Nano Bananas (PhD) (commencing July 2008) Ms Jenny Vo

CRC60109 Fruit Fly Host Use (PhD) (commencing July 2008) Mrs Sakuntala Muthuthan

CRC60111 Russian Wheat Aphid (PhD) (commencing July 2008) To be appointed

DEL

IVER

Y

AN

D

AD

OPT

ION PROJECT NO. PROJECT NAME PROJECT LEADER

CRC70036 National Communication Strategy Framework Mr Jim McGrath, PHA

CRC70096 Grain Knowledge Networks Dr Sharyn Taylor, PHA

CRC70099 Economic Analysis of Project Impact Dr Simon McKirdy, CRCNPB

CON

SULT

AN

CIES PROJECT NO. PROJECT NAME PROJECT LEADER

CRC100117 Chevron: Surveillance Planning for Plants and Vertebrates Dr Peter Whittle, QUT

CRC100118 Chevron: Preparation of Digital Images Ms Carla Tadich, CRCNPB

During 2007–08, the CRCNPB had 87 active projects, with five of these reaching the completion phase. At 30 June 2008, there were 14 projects in the draft proposal stage, and four project proposals (in addition to the seven PhD projects) in Education and Training that had been accepted to commence in July 2008 .

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By nature of the way they were developed, cooperative research centres provide the opportunity for collaboration across industry, research organisations, universities and end-users. Throughout this report the CRCNPB demonstrates its commitment and effectiveness in pursuing all opportunities for collaboration.

Collaboration with CRCNPB participants is extremely important, especially as many are end-users of research activities. The benefits of this collaboration was highlighted at the inaugural Science Exchange held in Melbourne.

The CRCNPB also pursues opportunities to collaborate with other cooperative research centres who work in the biosecurity spectrum, including Australian Biosecurity CRC for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Invasive Animals CRC. The CRCNPB also worked with the CRC for Molecular Plant Breeding to provide professional development workshops to teachers in the Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia.

Plant biosecurity is a worldwide issue and as a result, the CRCNPB is dedicated to spreading networks internationally to ensure the best outcomes for Australia’s biosecurity practices. This is done through close affiliations with New Zealand’s Better Border Biosecurity, and research projects in Thailand, China

and Indonesia. The CRCNPB also works closely with North Carolina State University, Utah State University, Kansas State University and Cornell University on projects.

CRCNPB researchers worked collaboratively with the United States Government to provide scientific advice on its recent Light Brown Apple Moth incursion. In Europe, the CRCNPB is a member of PRATIQUE which addresses pest risk analyses of global trade.

The CRCNPB collaborates and works with other research agencies such as Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and the Australian Centre of Excellence for Risk Analysis.

With rapid advances in technology, the CRCNPB works closely with the National Information and Communications Technology Australia to ensure its research activities use the most up-to-date and modern communication technologies where appropriate.

All the CRCNPB’s PhD students have at least one industry supervisor. This is considered integral in providing students with the opportunity to network and understand the needs of industry end-users.

Research collaborations

NATIONALAustralian Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre Australian Centre of Excellence in Risk Analysis

Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Australian National University

Curtin University Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre

National Information Communication Technology Australia Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation

Tasmania Department of Primary Industries and Water The ATSE Crawford Fund

University of Queensland University of Sydney

INTERNATIONALBetter Border Biosecurity New Zealand CABI

Canadian Food Inspection Authority Center for Integrated Pest Management, North Carolina State University

Centre de cooperation internationale en recherché agronomique pour le

developement, FranceCentre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, UK

Central Science Laboratory, UK Community Ecology, Zoological Institute, University of Bern, Switzerland

Cornell University European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation, France

Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry,

Department for National and International Plant Health, GermanyHortResearch New Zealand

Institut National de la Recherché Agronomique, UR633, Zoologie

Forestiere, FranceInstitute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic

Kansas State University LEI Wageningen UR, Netherlands

Lincoln University Malaysian Government Department of Agriculture

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry New Zealand National Centre for Advanced for Bio-Protection Technologies, NZ

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Plant Protection Institute, Bulgaria

SOFEI/BAKTI Thailand Government Department of Agriculture

US Dept. of Agriculture: Center for Plant Health Science and Technology Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana

Universitas Mahasaraswati Universitas Nusa Cendana

University of Padova, Italy Utah State University

Wageningen University, Netherlands

Collaborative partners

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Commercialisation and utilisation

Project delivery plans were completed for all active CRCNPB projects during the reporting period. This achievement underpins the CRCNPB efforts to identify key end-users, project intellectual property and pathways to adoption for the outcomes of its projects.

A key achievement of the Delivery and Adoption Program was the establishment of the Knowledge Grains Network project which parallels the biosecurity research alliance to protect Australia’s grain markets. This project is a high-priority for grains industry end-users and aims to develop an effective change management strategy to improve outcomes when managing phosphine resistance.

The project recognises that industry practice issues are critical to the grain industry’s ability to manage resistance, yet the key factors that drive acceptance have not (thus far) been examined as part of implementing a successful resistance management strategy. As every link in the value chain is critical to grain industry biosecurity, it is important that existing weaknesses within industry knowledge networks are targeted as a key part of the ability to deliver a resistance management strategy. Similarly, given that knowledge exchange is a two-way process, a better understanding of the grain industry’s knowledge networks also has the potential to enhance information capture within national surveillance and resistance monitoring programs.

An unprecedented opportunity to engage end-users and discuss technology transfer was held through the inaugural CRCNPB Science Exchange. Evaluation and feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive with all delegates rating the event as either good or excellent. Feedback indicated the key success factor was the opportunity for networking and the event supported many formal and informal project meetings outside of the formal exchange program.

During 2007-08, CRCNPB researchers provided excellent service delivery by preparing a ‘Key Issues Paper’ for federal government agencies which was incorporated into the development of a national plant health strategy. This paper focused on the issue of climate change and the risks associated with the biosecurity of Australia’s cultivated flora and access of Australian agricultural products to international markets.

Another highlight was the completion of an economic assessment of selected investments of the CRCNPB. Cost benefit analyses were undertaken on a number of current research projects. The independent assessment identified that each of the analysed projects had a strong prospect of realising benefits, with most projects relevant to more than one plant industry and/or plant pest.

Program Seven: Delivery and Adoption

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Intellectual property managementThe CRCNPB is responsible for identifying, securing, maintaining, and protecting any intellectual property (IP) associated with its research operations. IP is defined by the CRCNPB as ‘new knowledge’ derived from the CRCNPB’s ‘public good’ status. The CRCNPB’s IP register seeks to capture all IP ranging from public domain IP to highly valuable commercial IP.

Background and potential IP from the CRCNPB’s projects is identified as part of the development and recommendation stages of all new projects. The IP register was established during 2006-07 as part of the CRCNPB’s online project management system and continues to be developed by the CRCNPB’s Business Manager.

The CRCNPB has taken steps to protect IP arising from its projects by stipulating confidentiality in individual project agreements and has developed policies and procedures to enable the preservation of suitable protection on all non public domain IP. These mechanisms work towards the CRCNPB’s adherence to the National Principles of IP Management.

The CRCNPB also seeks to formalise IP arrangements where there is collaboration with external parties. Progress has been made towards establishing IP agreements on collaborative projects that present potential value for the CRCNPB, its partners or its end users. Currently, this includes agreements between the CRCNPB and National ICT Australia (NICTA) on the development of hyper spectral imaging surveillance technology, and Nanomics Biosystems on the development of diagnostic nanotechnology.

As the development of these and other CRCNPB technologies are still in their infancy, arrangements for their commercialisation, technology transfer, or the accrual of national benefit from the CRCNPB’s IP are still in development and are yet to be realised. These arrangements will follow the basic premise of assessing the cost to the CRCNPB versus the return to the CRCNPB, its participants and/or the return to Australia.

Communication strategy The CRCNPB pursues all opportunities to effectively engage and communicate with its stakeholders. Communication with participants is considered pivotal in the role of capturing the benefits and synergies to accelerate progress in plant biosecurity science and technology.

Through 2007-08, the CRCNPB continued to develop and build linkages with international research agencies to ensure Australia has access to the world’s most advanced technologies and intellectual properties in plant biosecurity. The CRCNPB also continued to build solid relationships with other cooperative research centres who focus on plant or biosecurity issues.

Membership of the Grains Advisory Panel provides the CRCNPB with a platform to engage directly with the grains industry and to ensure they (as end-users) contribute to the development and outcomes of all stored-grain projects.

During 2007-08, the CRCNPB developed linkages with Chevron Australia. The CRCNPB is providing Chevron with biosecurity tools to ensure its Barrow Island operations are free of introduced species.

For most part of the reporting period, the CRCNPB only had a part-time communication resource. With the appointment of a full-time Communications Officer in March 2008, communication activities will increase providing more opportunities for effective engagement with key stakeholders

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End-user involvement and CRCNPB impact on end-users A key strength of the CRCNPB is the involvement of participants who are, in many cases, end-users of research results. This ensures maximum benefit and impact in the delivery of project outputs, development of new products and services and capture of intellectual property.

End-user name RelationshipType of activity/end-user location

Nature / scale of benefits to end-user

Actual or expected benefit to end-user

Aus

tral

ian

Gov

ernm

ent (

DA

FF)

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)

ParticipantBiosecurity Management (National)

Better preventative systems, diagnostic tests, surveillance methods, and impact management tools.

Reduced risk of incursions and improved capacity for incursion response and management.

Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (DAFF)

ParticipantQuarantine Services (National)

More accurate, efficient and cost-effective quarantine detection systems.

Better diagnostic tests expected to increase accuracy and efficiency of quarantine detection systems.

Biosecurity Australia (DAFF)

Participant

Quarantine Assessment and Policy Advice (Canberra)

Improved surveillance data and modelling for quarantine assessments and policy advice.

Enhanced data expected to help ensure pest-free status and maintain international export markets.

Northern Australian Quarantine Strategy (DAFF)

ParticipantQuarantine services (North Australia)

More accurate, efficient and cost-effective quarantine detection systems.

Better diagnostic tests expected to increase accuracy and efficiency of quarantine detection systems.

Office of the Chief Plant Protection Officer (DAFF)

ParticipantBiosecurity Management (National)

Improved risk analysis, diagnostics, surveillance and response strategies for biosecurity threats.

Enhanced data and strategies expected to help ensure pest-free status and maintain international export markets.

Stat

e G

over

nmen

ts

Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

Participant

Biosecurity Management (Western Australia)

Better preventative systems, diagnostic tests, surveillance methods, and impact management tools.

Reduced risk of incursions and improved capacity for incursion response and management.

Department of Primary Industries, Victoria

ParticipantBiosecurity Management (Victoria)

Department of Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA)

ParticipantBiosecurity Management (South Australia)

New South Wales Department of Primary Industries

Participant

Biosecurity Management (New South Wales)

Northern Territory Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries and Mines

Participant

Biosecurity Management (Northern Territory)

Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries

ParticipantBiosecurity Management (Queensland)

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End-user name RelationshipType of activity/end-user location

Nature / scale of benefits to end-user

Actual or expected benefit to end-user

Rese

arch

Age

ncie

s

Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)

Collaborative Research Provider

Biosecurity Management (International)

Better preventative systems, diagnostic tests, surveillance methods, and impact management tools.

Reduced risk of incursions and improved capacity for incursion response and management.

CABICollaborative Research Provider

Biosecurity Management (International)

Better preventative systems, diagnostic tests, surveillance methods, and impact management tools.

Reduced risk of incursions and improved capacity for incursion response and management.

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

ParticipantBiosecurity Management (National)

Better diagnostic and surveillance tools.

Enhanced research capability to protect Australia’s plant industries.

Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)

ParticipantBiosecurity Management (National)

A high plant biosecurity status is maintained for plant industries.

Reduced risk of incursions and improved capacity for incursion response and management.

Horticultural Australia Limited (HAL)

ParticipantBiosecurity Management (National)

A high plant biosecurity status is maintained for plant industries.

Reduced risk of incursions and improved capacity for incursion response and management.

International government agencies

Collaborative Research Providers

Biosecurity Management (International)

Better preventative systems, diagnostic tests, surveillance methods, and impact management tools.

Reduced risk of incursions and improved capacity for incursion response and management.

Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC)

Collaborative Research Provider

Biosecurity Management (National)

A high plant biosecurity status is maintained for plant industries.

Reduced risk of incursions and improved capacity for incursion response and management.

Indu

stry

ABB Grain Ltd Participant

Biosecurity Management (SA and Vic)

Market access and trade maintained through enhanced grain storage.

Minimised impact of phosphine and protectant resistance in stored grain insect populations.

Chevron Industry

Biosecurity Management (WA)

Minimised environmental impact of industry activities.

Provide a high-level of confidence in biosecurity status of areas where industry is operating and tools to ensure accountability to government on retaining pristine environment.

Co-operative Bulk Handling Limited

ParticipantBiosecurity Management (WA)

Market access and trade maintained through enhanced grain storage.

Minimised impact of phosphine and protectant resistance in stored grain insect populations.

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End-user name RelationshipType of activity/end-user location

Nature / scale of benefits to end-user

Actual or expected benefit to end-user

Indu

stry

GrainCorp Ltd Participant

Biosecurity Management (Vic, NSW and Qld)

Market access and trade maintained through enhanced grain storage.

Minimised impact of phosphine and protectant resistance in stored grain insect populations.

Ordguard IndustryBiosecurity Management (WA)

Better preventative systems, diagnostic tests, surveillance methods, and impact management tools.

Reduced risk of incursions and improved capacity for incursion response and management.

Plant Industry SMEs* Industry

Principal beneficiaries of CRCNPB outputs (National)

CRCNPB outputs will minimise economic, social and environmental impacts of future pest incursions leading to increased export opportunities and stable production costs.

Enhanced plant biosecurity will ensure market access and enable new market potential. Production costs will not increase due to minimising impact of future incursions.

Saturn Biotech ParticipantCommercialisation (Perth)

New technologies and tools will provide faster, more cost-efficient and accurate diagnostics

Outputs from diagnostic projects will enhance Saturn Biotech’s service provision to the plant industries.

Indu

sty/

gove

rnm

ent

coor

dina

tion

Plant Health Australia ParticipantPlant Health Management (National)

Better biosecurity planning and communication tools.

Reduced risk of incursions and improved capacity for incursion response and management.

* Plant Industry SMEs

A3P, Almond Board of Australia, Apple and Pear Australia Limited, Australian Banana Growers’ Council, Australian Citrus Growers’ Inc, Australian Cotton Growers’ Research Association Inc, Australian Dried Fruits Association Inc., Australian Honey Bee Industry Council, Australian Macadamia Society Ltd, Australian Mango Industry Association, Australian Nut Industry Council, Australian Olive Association Ltd, Australian Passionfruit Industry Association, Australian Processing Tomato Research Council Inc., Australian Table Grape Association, Australian Walnut Industry Association, AUSVEG, Avocados Australia, CANEGROWERS, Canned Fruit Industry Council, Cherry Growers of Australia Inc., Grains Council of Australia, Growcom, Nursery and Garden Industry Australia, Onions Australia, Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia, Strawberries Australia, Summerfruit Australia Ltd, Winegrape Growers Association of Australia, Winemakers’ Federation of Australia

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Program Six: Education and Training

During 2007-08, the Education and Training program continued its strong growth. With a target of 32 PhD candidates, this reporting period saw a total number of 22 students enrolled in PhD studies, with another seven confirmed students due to commence in the first half of 2008-09. It is expected the CRCNPB will have reached its target number of students by the end of the 2008-09 financial year.

A significant milestone for the Education and Training Program was the completion of its first PhD candidate in June 2008. Dr Craig Webster completed his research in the use of microarrays for virus diagnostics and has been offered a postdoctoral position to further his skills in diagnostics.

During 2007-08, the CRCNPB supported four Honours candidates with three completions and the fourth due to submit her thesis in July 2008. One of these students is currently working with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.

All postgraduate students, both at PhD and Honours level, have a minimum of one academic (university) supervisor and one industry supervisor. This ensures that every student has regular interaction with the CRCNPB’s industry participants. Additionally, the CRCNPB’s postgraduate students and one junior post doctoral student attended the annual professional development workshop in November 2007. At the workshop the students participated in training in Plant Biosecurity Awareness and also Networking Skills.

This year an innovative School Education Strategy in primary and secondary schools was trialled in the Australian Capital Territory. As part of the strategy, the CRCNPB is focusing on educating the younger generation currently enrolled in the school system. By portraying plant biosecurity and science in a positive and exciting manner to students from a young age, it is hoped that more students will be encouraged to pursue science as a career and, in the long-term, fill some of the science skills gaps.

The CRCNPB also participated in the National Youth Science Forum, and conducted a number of professional development sessions for teachers. In conjunction with the Delivery and Adoption program it is expected to extend the school strategy to more states in the second half of 2008-09. This will meet the strategic action of developing strategies and protocols for community education and engagement in plant biosecurity systems.

The CRCNPB is currently developing a postgraduate curriculum in plant biosecurity with an active expert advisory group that consists of eight members from industry and end-user organisations. The CRCNPB also has strong international collaboration with colleagues in the USA, Canada and New Zealand. This ensures students enrolled in the curriculum will have access to material that is of a world standard. The postgraduate curriculum in plant biosecurity is expected to enrol its first students in 2009.

With an aim of transferring knowledge and increasing skills in the plant biosecurity industry, four workshops were organised during 2007-08. The first Australasian workshop was facilitated in all states of Australia, as well as New Zealand and introduced participants to the online Pest and Disease Image Library (PaDIL). The workshop demonstrated the features of PaDIL and its potential use to raise awareness of emergency plant pests within industry.

The second workshop was held to enhance skills in new diagnostic protocols for Karnal bunt. The workshop was attended by key diagnosticians from various state agencies as well as representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Plant Health Australia and the CRCNPB’s new grain participants.

Two Master Classes were held in June 2008 to provide education and training for people who work in the plant biosecurity field in neighbouring countries. The first was an International Master Class in Plant Biosecurity, which was held in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. The CRCNPB partnered with the ATSE Crawford Fund, CABI and the Department of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Malaysia to deliver the workshop. Participants came from countries including Indonesia, Singapore, India, Bangladesh, Laos, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand.

The CRCNPB also partnered with the ATSE Crawford Fund and Plant Health Australia to provide a workshop on plant biosecurity to six quarantine officers, researchers and agricultural field staff from Papua New Guinea. This workshop was hosted in Melbourne by the Department of Primary Industries, Victoria.

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Biosecurity, research and education for Australia’s plant industries...

CRC60072: MASTER CLASS IN PLANT BIOSECURITYan International master Class in Plant Biosecurity was held in Kuala Lumpur, malaysia in June 2008 as part of the CRCNPB’s strategic objective to provide vocational training to the plant biosecurity community in neighbouring countries. The CRCNPB partnered with the ATSE Crawford Fund, CaBI and the Department of agriculture and agro-based Industry to deliver the master Class.

The aim of the master Class was to reach participants who have scientific and technical background in the disciplines associated with plant biosecurity, and who have the ability to interface with policy makers and regulators in their home country, and potentially, abroad. Participants came from countries including Indonesia, Singapore, India, Bangladesh, Laos, the Philippines, malaysia and Thailand.

CRC60046: KHAPRA BEETLE (PhD)Khapra beetle is a high-risk serious pest for all stored grain and would have a serious impact on market access and production costs if it became established in australia.

around the world there are many closely related species of beetle and misidentification can cause concern to quarantine authorities in countries.

In his PhD research with the CRCNPB, mark Castalanelli is developing rapid molecular based testing to correctly diagnose these species. His research will also allow end-users, such as Quarantine Inspectors, to acquire a better understanding of the species family, which is paramount to protect australia from such a devastating pest.

CRC60069: SCHOOL EDUCATION STRATEGYas part of its education and Training Program, the CRCNPB is committed to educating the next generation of science users and scientists.

In the Scientists of Tomorrow primary schools program, students from across schools in the australian Capital Territory role-played being part of a plant biosecurity research team.

By portraying plant biosecurity and science in a positive and exciting manner to students from a young age, it is hoped children will become more aware of plant biosecurity issues and in the long-term, encouraged to pursue science as a career.

The Scientists of Tomorrow program is the keystone of the CRCNPB’s school education strategy and after evaluation, it is hoped to expand the program nationally.

Image: CRCNPB

Image: mark Castalanelli Imag

e: m

inistr

y of a

gricu

lture

and R

egion

al De

velop

men

t arch

ive

Image: Dr David eagling, CRCNPB

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PublicationsBooks

Falk, I., Surata, K., and Suwondo, K. (2008) Community Management of Biosecurity (English language ed), Kritis, Indonesia and Learning Communities, Australia

Book chapters

Emery, R. and Nayak, M. (2007), ‘Pests of Stored Grains’, in Bailey, P.T. (ed.), Pests of Field Crops and Pastures: Identification and Control, Collingwood, Victoria, CSIRO Publishing, pp. 40-560.

Refereed publications

Cook, D.C. and Matheson, A.C. (2008), ‘An estimate of the potential economic impact of pine pitch canker in Australia’, Australian Forestry, 71, pp. 107-112.

Darby, J.A. (2008), ‘A kinetic model of fumigant sorption by grain using batch experimental data’, Pest Management Science, 64, pp. 519-526.

Falk, I., Surata, K., Mudita, W., Martiningsih, E. and Myers, B. (2008), ‘Community Management of Biosecurity: Overview of some Indonesian studies’, in Community Management of Biosecurity (English language ed.), Kritis, Indonesia and Learning Communities, Australia, pp. 1–40.

Knight, S.N. (2008), ‘Considerations for the Plant Biosecurity Policy Interface: A case study of Indonesian policy authority and community exchange,’ in Community Management of Biosecurity (English language ed.), Kritis, Indonesia and Learning Communities, Australia, pp. 185–208.

Mutti, N.S., Louis, J., Pappan, L.K., Pappan, K., Begum, K., Chen, M-S., Park, Y., Dittmer, N., Marshall, J., Reese, J.C. and Reeck, G.R. (2008), ‘A protein from the salivary glands of the pea aphid, Acrythosiphon pisum, is essential in feeding on a host plant’, Proceedings of the National Academy of Science 2008 105:9965-9969

Powney, R., Plummer, K., Luck, J., Beer, S. and Rodoni, B. (2007), ‘Evaluation of PCR-based Protocols for the Detection of Erwinia amylovora’, Acta Horticulturae, 793, pp. 505-513.

Royce, P. (2008), ‘A community approach to biosecurity in a remote Australian region,’ in Community Management of Biosecurity (English language ed.), Kritis, Indonesia and Learning Communities, Australia, pp. 90–115.

Schlipalius D.I., Chen W., Collins P.J., Nguyen, T., Reilly, P.E.B. and Ebert, P.R. (2008), ‘Gene interactions constrain the course of evolution of phosphine resistance in the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica’, Heredity, 100, pp. 505-516.

Zheng, L., Wayper, P.J., Gibbs, A.J., Fourment, M., Rodoni, B.C. and Gibbs, M.J. (2008), ‘Accumulating Variation at Conserved Sites in Potyvirus Genomes is Driven by Species Discovery and Affects Degenerate Primer Design’, PLoS ONE 3(2), e1586, oi:10.1371/journal.pone.0001586.

Seminars, conferences, workshops, industry meetings

Bayliss, K. (2008), ‘Education frameworks for biosecurity’, International Master Class in Plant Biosecurity: Issues and Responses, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2-13 June 2008.

Bayliss, K. (2008), ‘Risk Analysis: Introduction to concepts and international frameworks’, International Master Class in Plant Biosecurity: Issues and Responses, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2-13 June 2008.

Bayliss, K., Jensen, T., Zeller, L., Walker, R., MacLeod, W., Vawdrey, L. and Kong, G. (2007), ‘Enhancing surveillance with remotely controlled aircraft to demonstrate freedom from emergency plant pathogens’, 16th Biennial Australasian Plant Pathology Society Conference, Adelaide, 24 September 2007, p. 178.

Carmichael, A. (2008), ‘Diagnostic Theory’, International Master Class in Plant Biosecurity: Issues and Responses, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2-13 June 2008.

Collins, P.J. (2007), ‘Biosecurity for the grains industry,’ Grains West Expo, Perth, 27 July 2007.

Collins, P.J. (2008), ‘Post-Harvest Integrity Research Program’, CRC National Plant Biosecurity Science Exchange, Melbourne, 15 November 2007.

Collins, P.J. (2008), ‘Post-Harvest grain research in the CRC for Plant Biosecurity’, Plant Health Committee (PHC) Meeting, Canberra, 26 February 2008.

Cook, D.C. (2007), ‘Addressing Market and Institutional Failures in Managing Invasive Species - Insights from Bio-Mimicry and Adaptive Governance’, Australia and New Zealand Society for Ecological Economics Annual Conference, Noosaville, Queensland, 5 July 2007.

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Cook, D.C. (2007), ‘Enhanced Biosecurity Planning Tools - CRC Plant Biosecurity’, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Food Integrity and Biosecurity Program Meeting, Canberra, 20 November 2007.

Cook, D.C. (2007), ‘Enhancing Plant Biosecurity Risk Analysis: Assessing Potential Impact and Managing ‘Emergency Plant Pest’ Risks’, Australian Centre of Excellence for Risk Analysis Robust Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Workshop, Hobart, 13 August 2007.

Cook, D.C. (2007), ‘Total Damage Cost as a Guide to Biosecurity Investment Decisions’, CRC National Plant Biosecurity Science Exchange, Melbourne, 15 November 2007.

Cook, D.C. and Proctor, W.L. (2008), ‘Deliberative Multi Criteria Evaluation: The Wherefore and the Why,’ Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australian Centre of Excellence for Risk Analysis Seminar: Structured Decision Analysis for Biosecurity and Resource Management, Canberra, 9 April 2008.

Coventry, S.A., Davidson, Salam J.M. and Scott, E. (2007), ‘Factors affecting short and long distance dispersal of fungal pests – Chickpea Ascochyta blight as a model’, 16th Biennial Australasian Plant Pathology Society Conference, Adelaide, 24 September 2007, p. 237.

Coventry, S.A., Davidson, Salam J.M. and Scott, E.(2007), ‘Factors Affecting Short and Long Distance Dispersal of Fungal Pathogens - Chickpea Ascochyta Blight as a Model’, CRC National Plant Biosecurity Science Exchange, Melbourne, 15 November 2007.

Coventry, S.A., Davidson, Salam J.M. and Scott, E. (2008), ‘Factors affecting short and long distance disperal of fungal pests - Chickpea Ascochyta Blight as a model’, 1st Annual Postgraduate Student Symposium - SARDI Research Centre, Adelaide, 2008. p. 9.

Daglish, G.J. (2008), ‘Phosphine fumigation of cool grain’, CRC National Plant Biosecurity Science Exchange, Melbourne, 15 November 2007.

Darby, J. and Beckett, S. (2007), ‘How do phosphine fumigations fail? Quantifying the characteristics of industrial phosphine fumigations that cause fumigation failures and select for resistance; progress to date’, CRC National Plant Biosecurity Science Exchange, Melbourne, 15 November 2007.

Eagling, D. (2008), ‘Research responses to global biosecurity challenges: An Australian perspective’, International Master Class in Plant Biosecurity: Issues and Responses, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2-13 June 2008.

Eagling, D. (2008), ‘Impact Management: Theory and case studies’, International Master Class in Plant Biosecurity: Issues and Responses, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2-13 June 2008.

Eagling, D. (2008), ‘Diagnostic Techniques’, International Master Class in Plant Biosecurity: Issues and Responses, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2-13 June 2008.

Emery, R. (2008), ‘Phosphine Resistance (Western Australia) Annual Report’, National Working Party on Grain Protection, Newcastle, New South Wales, 10-12 June 2008.

Emery, R. (2007), ‘Khapra beetle eradication’, Australian Technical Millers Association Conference, Midland, Western Australia, 3 September 2007.

Feutrill, C., Keller, M., McDougall, S. and Mo, J. (2008), ‘Factors affecting the introduction, distribution, migration and colonisation of Currant Lettuce Aphid Nasonovia ribisnigri (Mosley) in Australia’, 1st Annual Postgraduate Student Symposium - SARDI Research Centre, Adelaide, 2008, p. 6.

Feutrill, C., Keller, M., McDougall, S. and Mo, J. (2007), ‘Factors affecting the introduction, distribution, migration and colonisation of Currant Lettuce Aphid Nasonovia ribisnigri (Mosley) in Australia’, CRC National Plant Biosecurity Science Exchange, Melbourne, 15 November 2007

Finlay, K., Aurambout, J.P., Azoulas, J., Warner, S., Wong, F., O’Riley, K., Hollaway, G., Freeman, A., O’Leary, G., Muhuddin, A. and Luck, J. (2007), ‘The effects of climate change on the Biosecurity of Australian Primary Industries’, DPI Climate Change Network Launch, Melbourne, September 12 2007.

Hammond, N.E.B., Martin, P.A.J., Hardie, D.C., Hauser C. and Reid, S. (2007),‘Demonstrating Pest Freedom - A Quantitative Approach’, 1st APPS Plant Health Research Symposium 2007, Western Australian Branch.

Hammond, N.E.B., Martin, P.A.J., Hardie, D.C., Hauser C. and Reid, S. (2007),‘Demonstrating Pest Freedom - A Quantitative Approach’, CRC National Plant Biosecurity Science Exchange, Melbourne, 15 November 2007.

Hardie, D.C. and Mangano, P. (2008), ‘Surveillance in Action’, International Master Class in Plant Biosecurity: Issues and Responses, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2-13 June 2008.

Hardie, D.C. (2008), ‘Surveillance Theory’, International Master Class in Plant Biosecurity: Issues and Responses, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2-13 June 2008.

Hardie, D.C. (2008), ‘An Overview of Surveillance Research in the CRC for Plant Biosecurity’, Plant Health Committee Meeting, Canberra, 26 February 2008.

Hardie, D.C. (2007), ‘An Overview of Surveillance Research in the CRC for Plant Biosecurity’, CRCNPB/B3 Collaborative Meeting, Crop and Food Research, Lincoln, New Zealand, 3-4 December 2007.

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Hitchcock, B. (2007). Protecting Australia’s exports – revision of the genus Epiphyas. CRC National Plant Biosecurity Science Exchange, Melbourne, Australia, 15 November 2007.

Hollaway G., Luck, J. and Chakraborty, S. (2007), ‘Crop protection in a changing climate’, Australian Greenhouse Office Elevated CO2 Committee Meeting, Horsham, Victoria, August 2007.

Kong, G. (2008), ‘Diagnostic: Theory and Exercise’, International Master Class in Plant Biosecurity: Issues and Responses, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2-13 June 2008.

Loh, M., Kumari, S.G., van Leur, J., Freeman, A., Ford, R. and Rodoni, B. (2008), ‘Luteoviridae viruses flying below the radar; new diagnostic protocols needed’ Melbourne School of Land and Environment’s Postgraduate Conference – University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 2008.

Loh, M., Kumari, S.G., van Leur, J., Freeman, A., Ford, R. and Rodoni, B. (2007), ‘A Survey of the Central West Asia and North African Regions for Luteoviridae Viruses’, Faculty of Land and Food Resources Postgraduate Conference, Dookie, Victoria, p. 33.

Loh, M. (2007), ‘A Survey of the Central West Asia and North African Regions for Luteoviridae Viruses’, CRC National Plant Biosecurity Science Exchange, Melbourne, 15 November 2007, p. 20.

Loh, M., Rodoni, B., van Leur, J., Freeman, A., Ford, R. and Kumari, S.G. (2008), ‘A Variant Strain of Bean leafroll virus (BLRV) in Syria’, International Working Group on Legume and Vegetable Viruses, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2008, p. 42.

Lovett, J. (2008), ‘Strategic responses to global biosecurity challenges: An Australian perspective’, International Master Class in Plant Biosecurity: Issues and Responses, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2-13 June 2008.

Lovett, J. (2008), ‘Post-Harvest Integrity: Theory’, International Master Class in Plant Biosecurity: Issues and Responses, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2-13 June 2008.

Luck, J., Aurambout, J., Finlay, K., Powell, K., Kriticos, D., De Barro, P. and Chakraborty, S. (2007), ‘Climate change and plant biosecurity’, RIRDC Food Integrity and Biosecurity Program Meeting, Canberra, November 20 2007.

Luck, J., Finlay, K., Aurambout, J.P., Hollaway, G., Freeman, A. and Chakraborty, S. (2008), ‘Understanding and adapting to agricultural pests and diseases in future climates’, National Processing Tomato Growers Meeting, Echuca, Victoria, May 2008.

Luck, J., Finlay, K., Aurambout, J.P., Powell, K. and Chakraborty, S. (2007), ‘Projecting the effects of climate change on plant biosecurity’, CRC National Plant Biosecurity Science Exchange, Melbourne, September 2007.

Luck, J., Finlay, K., Aurambout, J.P., Powell, K. and Chakraborty, S. (2008), ‘The impact of climate change on pests and diseases of Australian agriculture’, International Agrometeorology and Food Security Symposium at CRIDA, Hyderabad, India, February 2008.

Luck, J., Finlay, K., Aurambout, J.P., Powell, K. and Chakraborty, S. (2008), ‘The impact of climate change on pests and diseases of agriculture’, Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Workshop on Climate Change and Crop Disease Management - An International Initiative in the Asia-Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh, February 2008.

Luck, J. Finlay, K. Azoulas, J., Warner, S., Hollaway, G. and Aurambout, J.P. (2007), ‘Managing Climate Change in the Horticulture Industry - Biosecurity and Market Access’, Central Highlands Agribusiness Summit, Ballarat, Victoria, July 2007.

Luck, J., Finlay, K., Azoulas, J., Warner, S., Hollaway, G. and Aurambout, J.P. (2007), ‘Identifying the impacts of climate change on key pests and diseases of plant and animal industries’, Greenhouse Sydney, Sydney, October 2007.

Luck, J., Hollaway, G., Freeman, A., Chakraborty, S., Finlay, K. and Aurambout, J.P. (2008), ‘Climate Change and Plant Biosecurity. The response of key wheat pathogens to elevated CO2’, Elevated CO2 Workshop, Melbourne, January 2008.

Luck, J., Powell, K., Hollaway, G., Freeman, A., Spackman, M. and Chakraborty, S. (2007), ‘Australian Grains FACE Array - Examining the effects of elevated CO2 on key wheat pathogens and vectors’, GRDC National Integrated Pest Initiative, Orange, New South Wales, November 2007.

Luck, J., Finlay, K., Aurambout, J.P., Hollaway, G., Freeman, A. and Chakraborty, S. (2008), ‘Understanding and adapting to agricultural pests and diseases in future climates’, Tomato 2008, National Processing Tomato Growers Meeting, Echuca, Victoria, May 2008.

Martiningsih, E, Ni Gst.Ag.Gde (2008), ‘Participation of Women in Community Management of Biosecurity. Ausindo Biocom East Indonesia Project’, 9th New Guinea Biology Conference, Jayapura Papua, Indonesia, 2008.

Meldrum, R. (2008), ‘Epidemiological and biological studies of the exotic plant pathogen Fusarium wilt of banana caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense ‘tropical’ race 4 (Foc TR4)’, NT APPS Annual Meeting, 2008.

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Mengersen, K., Whittle, P., Barrett, S. and Hardie, D. (2007), ‘Gorgon statistical requirements: Considerations for design of invasive species surveillance’, Gorgon Project Surveillance Strategy Workshop, Perth, 30 October 2007.

Murphy, B.D. (2008), ‘New Biosecurity Surveillance Strategies for Phytophagous Pests’, Workshop on Combining Disparate Data to Demonstrate Freedom from Pests/Diseases, Canberra, 31 March 2008.

Murphy, B.D. (2008), ‘Evaluating Performance of Australia’s Risk Analysis System’, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra, 12 June 2008.

Murphy, B.D. (2008), ‘Surveillance Principles’, DAFF/BA Plants, Canberra, 13 June 2008.

Nayak, M.K. and Pavic, H. (2008), ‘Insect resistance survey (2007-08) - Phosphine - Northern Region’, National Working Party on Grain Protection, Newcastle, New South Wales, 11-12 June 2008.

Nayak, M.K. and Pavic, H. (2008), ‘Insect resistance survey (2007-08) - Grain protectants - Northern Region’, National Working Party on Grain Protection, Newcastle, New South Wales, 11-12 June 2008.

Paini, D.R. (2007), ‘Using Self Organising Maps to Predict Invasive Species in Australia’, CRC National Plant Biosecurity Science Exchange, Melbourne, 15 November 2007.

Powney, R., Plummer, K., Beer, S. and Rodoni, B. (2007), ‘PCR Diagnostics for Erwinia amylovora - evaluating existing primer sets and identifying new chromosomal targets using the E. amylovora genome’, CRC National Plant Biosecurity Science Exchange, Melbourne, 15 November 2007.

Rodoni, B. (2007), ‘The role of biosecurity in preventing and controlling emerging plant virus disease epidemics’, 10th International Plant Virus Epidemiology Symposium, Hyderabad, India, 15-19 October 2007.

Sosnowski, M. (2007), ‘Optimising eradication strategies for exotic plant pathogen incursions on perennial crops,’ CRC Plant Biosecurity Science Exchange, Melbourne, 14-15 November 2007, p. 13.

Sosnowski, M.R., Emmett, R.W., Clarke, K. and Wicks, T.J. (2007), ‘Susceptibility of table grapes to black spot disease (anthracnose)’, 16th Australasian Plant Pathology Conference, Adelaide, 24-27 September 2007, p. 48.

Stanaway, M. (2007), ‘Hierarchical Bayesian models to manage plant pest invasions’, 2nd ANZ Society for Risk Analysis Conference, New Zealand, 2007.

Surata, K., and Falk, I. (2008), ‘Communities and their role in plant biosecurity’, International Master Class in Plant Biosecurity: Issues and Responses, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2-13 June 2008.

Tan, M.K., Ghalayini, A. and Wright, D. (2007), ‘A 5-plex real-time qPCR assay for the quarantine detection and identification of Tilletia indica’, CRC National Plant Biosecurity Science Exchange, Melbourne, 15-16 November 2007.

Vogelzang, B.K., Scott, E.S., Ophel-Keller, K. and Davidson, J.A. (2007), ‘Novel approaches to surveillance monitoring for plant pathogens’, 16th Biennial Australasian Plant Pathology Society Conference, Adelaide, 2007, p. 195

Vogelzang, B.K., Scott, E.S., Ophel-Keller, K. and Davidson, J.A. (2007), ‘Simplifying surveillance for air-borne fungal pathogens’, CRC National Plant Biosecurity Science Exchange, Melbourne, 15 November 2007.

Weiss, J., White, M., and McKirdy, S. (2007), ‘Utilising a Terrestrial Observation Predictive System for Emergency Plant Pest Incursion Management’, International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, 2007

Whittle, P., Barrett, S., Mengersen, K. and Hardie, D. (2007), ‘Surveillance design for the Gorgon gas project on Barrow Island: Confidence in the exclusion of terrestrial invertebrates’, CRC National Plant Biosecurity Science Exchange, Melbourne, 15-16 November 2007.

Whittle, P., Mengersen, K., Barrett, S., Hardie, D., Martin, T. and Majer, J. (2007), ‘Gorgon surveillance design - statistical design to meet Ministerial condition and relevant design considerations’, Chevron Australia, Perth, 13 December 2007.

Zeller, L. (2007), ‘Development of indexing spore trap for use with remotely controlled aircraft,’ CRC National Plant Biosecurity Science Exchange, Melbourne, 15 November 2007, p. 28.

Industry publications

Aurambout, J.P., Constable, F., Finlay, K., Luck, J. and Sposito, V. (2006), ‘The Impacts of Climate Change on Plant Biosecurity - Literature Review’, Department of Primary Industries, Melbourne.

Cook, D.C. (2007), ‘Enhanced Biosecurity Planning Tools (Project CPB-3A)’, in RIRDC Annual Report 2006-07, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Barton, Australian Capital Territory, p. 27.

Cook, D.C. (2007), ‘MT06032 Enhanced Biosecurity Risk Analysis Tools,’ in Apple and Pear Australia Ltd. Industry Report 2006-2007, Horticulture Australia Ltd., Melbourne, p. 9.

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Third Year Reviews – 2004 Round CRCs As the CRCNPB completed its third year of operations in June 2008, planning for the official ‘Third Year Review’ began. The CRCNPB Board is responsible for commissioning and overseeing the review, and implementing any recommendations which arise. The Board has formed a steering committee consisting of Professor John Lovett, Mr Barry Windle and Professor John Irwin.

The independent review panel has been selected, chaired by Dr Kevin Sheridan. The remaining panel members are Dr Craig Phillips and Mr David Crawford with a fourth member, Professor Elizabeth Deane appointed by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. The formal review will be undertaken in December 2008.

Cook, D., Liu, S., Siddique, A.B., Diggle, A., Lowell, K. and Hurley, M. (2007), ‘Predicting the Potential Impact of Exotic Threats to Australian Horticulture,’ (Discussion Paper) Horticulture Australia Ltd., Sydney, December 2007, 51 pp.

Finlay, K.F., Luck, J.E. (2008), ‘Effects of climate change on pests and diseases of primary industry’, Australian Nutgrower, 22 (1), pp. 37-38.

Holloway, J. (2008), ‘Grain insects - options for control’, in Winter Crop Variety Sowing Guide 2008, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Sydney, 1 January 2008, pp. 91-92.

Sosnowski, M. (2007), ‘Researchers join forces on the frontline to protect grapevines from exotic diseases’, Australian Viticulture, 11(1), p. 17.

Sosnowski, M. (2007), ‘Researchers join forces on the frontline to protect grapevines from exotic diseases,’ Riverlink Newsletter, Winter 2007, No. 81.

Sosnowski, M. and Wicks, T. (2007), ‘A global perspective on grapevine diseases’, Australian Viticulture, 11(1), pp. 77-81.

Sosnowski, M., Emmett, B., Clarke, K. and Wicks, T. (2007), ‘Susceptibility of table grapes to black spot (anthracnose) disease’, The Australian and New Zealand Grapegrower and Winemaker, 521a, pp. 8-11.

Sosnowski, M., Wilcox, W. and Wicks, T. (2007), ‘Investigating black rot disease in the US and implications for Australian biosecurity’, The Australian and New Zealand Grapegrower and Winemaker, 527, pp. 28-32.

Spackman, M., Finlay, K., Crnov, R., Freeman, A., Hollaway, G., Powell, K. and Luck, J. (2007), ‘Identifying priorities for pest and disease research in key Victorian grain and horticultural crops under elevated CO2’, Recommendations for Free-Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment (FACE) Research, Department of Primary Industries Victoria Internal Report, Melbourne, 122 pp.

Whittle P., Barrett S., Mengersen, K., Hardie, D., Nietrzeba, A., Stoklosa, R. and Majer, J. (2008), ‘Design of Surveillance Program for Barrow Island for Exemplar Species: Coastal Brown Ant, Pheidole megacephala’, report to Chevron Australia Pty. Ltd., Perth.

Theses

Rigg, K. (2008), ‘Development of a DNA barcoding system for the identification of Australian insect pest species: A case-study of scarab beetle larvae in New South Wales’.

Spinner, J.E. (2008), ‘Management of Silverleaf Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci biotype B, Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)’.

Webster, C. (2008), ‘Characterisation of Hardenbergia mosaic virus and development of microarrays for detecting viruses in plants’.

Zady, M. (2007), ‘The Molecular Characterisation of Selected Entomopathogenic Fungi with Potential for use as Biopesticides’.

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ACRONYM MEANINGACIAR Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research

ACERA Australian Centre of Excellence for Risk Analysis

ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations

AQIS Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service

CBH Co-operative Bulk Handling Limited

CDU Charles Darwin University

CEO Chief Executive Officer

CRC Cooperative Research Centre

CRCNPB Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity

CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation

CSU Charles Sturt University

DAFF Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

DAFWA Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

DPIVIC Department of Primary Industries, Victoria

EPP Emergency Plant Pest

EU European Union

GRDC Grains Research and Development Corporation

HAL Horticulture Australia Limited

ICT information and communications technology

IP Intellectual property

LBAM Light brown apple moth

LU La Trobe University

MAF New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

MU Murdoch University

NICTA National ICT Australia

NSWDPI New South Wales Department of Primary Industries

NTDPIFM Northern Territory Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries and Mines

NZ New Zealand

OCPPO Office of the Chief Plant Protection Officer

PaDIL Pest and Disease Image Library

PDA personal digital assistant

PHA Plant Health Australia Ltd

PhD Doctor of Philosophy

PIRSA Department of Primary Industries and Research South Australia

QDPI&F Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries

QUADS Quadrilateral Agreement on Plant Health

QUT Queensland University of Technology

R&D research and development

RIRDC Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation

RWA Russian wheat aphid

SARDI South Australian Research and Development Institute

SB Saturn Biotech

SCU Southern Cross University

SME small to medium-sized enterprise

SPHDS Subcommittee on Plant Health Diagnostic Standards

UA University of Adelaide

USA United States of America

UWA University of Western Australia

Glossary of terms

CRC PLANTbiosecurity

LPO Box 5012 Bruce ACT 2617phone: +61 (0)2 6201 2882

fax: +61 (0)2 6201 5067email: info@crcplantbiosecurity.com.au

ABN: 13 115 589 707

www.crcplantbiosecurity.com.au